Nearly 400 criminal charges laid, 79 vehicles towed: OPS

CORRECTION: The previous headline said nearly 400 people were facing charges, when in fact, 191 people have been arrested. Collectively, however, they face nearly 400 charges.

Ottawa police have laid hundreds of criminal charges and towed dozens of vehicles from downtown Ottawa, police said on Sunday, February 20.

The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) says it has collectively laid 389 criminal charges among 191 arrested individuals in connection with operations to disperse anti-government protesters in the city's downtown core.

The force says those arrested primarily face charges of mischief and obstruction.

Of those who have been charged, some have been released with conditions that include a boundary, requiring them to stay out of certain designated areas, while the rest were released without condition.

Police say 191 people have been arrested since law enforcement operations began in the city last week.

And 79 vehicles have been towed from downtown Ottawa, according to the latest figures from OPS.

ARRESTS / ARRESTATIONS: 191

CHARGES LAID / ACCUSATIONS PORTÉES: 389

VEHICLES TOWED / VEHICULES REMORQUÉS: 79

STREETS CLEARED / RUES DÉGAGÉES: Wellington, Bay, Kent, Lyon, Queen and Metcalfe. The Sir John A. MacDonald parkway has also been cleared and will reopen shortly. pic.twitter.com/nZZw2hCv7g

— Ottawa Police (@OttawaPolice) February 20, 2022

Interim Chief Steve Bell spoke to reporters Sunday afternoon.