(HURON & PERTH COUNTY, ON) - A lengthy police chase that ended early Friday morning resulted in three damaged police vehicles and a long list of criminal charges against a trio from the area.
On Thursday, September 5, 2019 around 11:30 p.m. Perth County OPP officers received information about three suspicious persons with a possible stolen truck on Toronto Street East in Mitchell. Prior to police arrival the trio fled the scene and were later spotted in Vanastra trying to steal a motorcycle. A Huron OPP officer arrived on scene and interrupted the theft however the trio then took off in a stolen pickup truck but not before they intentionally collided with one of the police vehicles on scene.
The stolen truck then flew out of Vanastra at dangerously high speeds away from the officers. A short while later, an officer patrolling in Walton spotted the suspects driving around in a different pickup truck. The officer attempted to stop the pickup truck however the driver failed to stop for the officer and fled the scene.
An officer chased after the suspect vehicle and as the suspects were fleeing they began throwing items at the police vehicle. Other police vehicles converged on the scene, used a spike belt on the fleeing vehicle and ultimately blocked it in. The driver of the suspect vehicle intentionally rammed two more vehicles in his attempt to get away, however, to no avail the driver and two passengers were taken into custody.
The driver, Jean-Philippe GNEMMI, 32 years of age, from Huron East is facing the following charges:
Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000 - Two Counts
Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000 - Two Counts
Theft of Motor Vehicle - Three Counts
Theft Over $5,000
Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose
Possession of an Identity Document
Possession of a Schedule I Substance - Methamphetamine
Operation While Impaired by Drugs
Refusal to Comply With Demand
Mischief Under $5,000
Flight from Police Officer - Two Counts
Dangerous Operation - Two Counts
Drive Under Suspension - Two Counts
Break, Enter Commit Indictable Offence
Trespass at Night
Assault Peace Officer with a Weapon
Fail to Comply with Recognizance - Three Counts
The accused made a court appearance today at the Ontario Court of Justice - Goderich He remains in custody with a video court appearance scheduled for September 10, 2019.
Also facing charges is David KUNZLE, 20 years of age from Huron East. He has been charged with the following offences:
Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000 - Two Counts
Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000 - Two Counts
Theft of Motor Vehicle - Three Counts
Theft Over $5,000
Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose
Possession of an Identity Document
Possession of a Schedule I Substance - Methamphetamine
Mischief Under $5,000
Break, Enter Commit Indictable Offence
Trespass at Night
Fail to Comply with Probation Order - Four Counts
He made a court appearance today at the Ontario Court of Justice - Goderich. He remains in custody with a video court appearance scheduled for September 10, 2019.
In addition, a 17-year-old youth from West Perth has been charged with the following offences:
Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000 - Two Counts
Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000 - Two Counts
Theft of Motor Vehicle - Three Counts
Theft Over $5,000
Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose
Possession of an Identity Document
Possession of a Schedule I Substance - Methamphetamine
Mischief Under $5,000
Break, Enter Commit Indictable Offence
Trespass at Night
The young person made a court appearance today at the Ontario Court of Justice in Goderich. The accused remains in custody with a court appearance scheduled for September 10, 2019.