Arrest made after Smiths Falls armed vehicle theft, multiple police chases through region

By Alex Black

One man has been taken into custody after a van was stolen at gunpoint in Smiths Falls.

Around 2 a.m. on Wednesday, July 14, the Smiths Falls Police Service (SFPS) responded to a 911 call reporting an incident on Beckwith Street North, at William Street. The caller told police he had pulled over to the side of the road to check his emails when a man opened the passenger door and got inside the vehicle while brandishing a gun. The victim told police he immediately exited the vehicle.

A SFPS officer spotted the suspect driving the van erratically on Roger Stevens Road a short time later, and began a pursuit. The officer followed the suspect until he lost sight of the van in the Boundary Road area, due to its high rate of speed.

Later that day, the suspect vehicle was spotted in Ottawa's east end and the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) tried to stop it. A police chase continued through the city and an OPS cruiser was damaged in the pursuit. The police chase had to be called off when the driver continued into Gatineau.

A man has now been arrested in connection with the incident, as well as other similar incidents in multiple jurisdictions, and is being held in custody by the Lanark County Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).

The OPP says the stolen vehicle has also been recovered.

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today