(THAMES CENTRE, ON) – Automatic Licence Plate Recognition (ALPR) system assists officer in stopping and charging a driver from Dorchester.

On January 9, 2025, at 1:00 p.m., a member of the Middlesex County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), while on general patrol on Westchester Bourne at Hamilton Road in Thames Centre, was alerted by the Automatic Licence Plate Recognition (ALPR) system, of a possible suspended driver.


A traffic stop was initiated.



It was determined the driver was a prohibited driver and was placed under arrest.

As a result, Shawn DITTRICH, a 48-year-old of Dorchester, has been charged under Criminal Code and Highway Traffic Act with:

Operation While Prohibited under the Criminal Code
Driving while under suspension
Drive motor vehicle, no currently validated permit
The accused has been released from police custody and is scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice on February 25, 2025, to speak to the charges.

The vehicle was towed from the scene and was impounded for 45-days.

The In Car Camera and ALPR have been operating in Middlesex County OPP vehicles since March 13, 2023. Middlesex OPP officers continue to see drivers operating vehicles that do not have valid, registered licence plates, are currently driving unlicenced, while under suspension or prohibited.

The OPP can be reached anywhere in the Province of Ontario at 1-888-310-1122.

If you wish to remain anonymous you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) where you may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2000.

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