(BRADFORD, ON) – On March 6, 2026, at approximately 5:00 p.m., officers from the South Simcoe Police Service were conducting proactive patrol in the area of Holland Street in Bradford West Gwillimbury when they observed a white U-Haul pick-up truck in the parking lot of a retail plaza. The vehicle had been reported stolen earlier that day from Burlington, Ontario.
During the initial investigation, police determined the vehicle had recently been operated and were able to obtain a description of the suspect driver from the Halton Regional Police Service.
With coordinated efforts from members of South Simcoe Police Uniform Patrol, Traffic and Marine, and Street Crime, officers established surveillance in the area with the goal of safely apprehending the suspect and implementing measures to reduce the risk of a vehicle pursuit while the investigation remained ongoing.
A short time later, the suspect returned to the vehicle and left the plaza travelling westbound along County Road 88 where the vehicle was involved in a collision near 5th Sideroad and County Road 88. The suspect abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene on foot in the area of Bond Head. Officers quickly located the suspect in a nearby residential backyard where the suspect was arrested without incident. Members of the public played a key role in the safe resolution of the incident by providing real-time updates to 9-1-1 communicators regarding the vehicle’s location and the suspect’s movements after fleeing the scene of the collision.
Through further investigation, police discovered a large quantity of stolen clothing, suspected drugs and tools believed to have been used to steal the vehicle earlier that day. As a result of the investigation, a 34-year-old male from Guelph, Ontario has been charged with:
• Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle – Criminal Code
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000 (Motor Vehicle) – Criminal Code
• Theft Under $5,000 – Criminal Code
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime (Retail Merchandise) – Criminal Code
• Possession of a Schedule I Substance (Methamphetamine) – Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
• Operation While Prohibited – Criminal Code
• Operation While Impaired (Alcohol and Drugs) – Criminal Code
• Fail to Stop After an Accident – Criminal Code
• Driving While Under Criminal Code Suspension – Highway Traffic Act
• Possession of Cannabis Over the Legal Limit – Cannabis Act
• Possession of Illicit Cannabis – Cannabis Act
• Driving while under suspension – Highway Traffic Act
South Simcoe Police also confirmed the accused was wanted on outstanding warrants with both the Guelph Police Service and the Ontario Provincial Police for similar offences. The accused was held in custody pending a bail hearing.Through coordinated police work and public assistance, officers quickly brought the incident to a successful and safe conclusion, with no injuries to members of the public or police. The South Simcoe Police Service thanks the public for their assistance and recognizes the coordinated efforts of patrol officers, investigative services, and communications operators.
Anyone with additional information is asked to contact South Simcoe Police at 905-775-3311 or 705-436-2141. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submit online at www.crimestopperssdm.com. Being anonymous, you will not testify in court and your information may lead to a cash reward of up to $2,000.
-30-
Media Contact: Samah Othman, Corporate Communications Specialist
Email: samah.othman@southsimcoepolice.ca