Air1 chase from Clarington to East York leads to K-9 takedown of one suspect – driver still at large

Air1 and Durham’s K-9 unit combined to nab one of two men involved in a high speed chase in a stolen truck that started in Clarington and ended in East York.

A Perth, Ontario man who was the passenger in the vehicle is facing numerous charges. The driver is still at large.

East Division officers responded to a theft of a truck and trailer at a RV centre on Rundell Road in Clarington Tuesday night at around 11 pm. While attempting to stop the suspects, the stolen vehicle rammed the cruiser before fleeing. The stolen pickup truck and trailer then drove off at a high rate of speed followed by Air1.

At one point, the suspects stopped in an attempt to unload the stolen trailer. A K-9 unit attempted to confront the suspects, but they got back into the vehicle and drove off, almost running over the officer and his dog in the process.

Air1 followed the stolen vehicle westbound on Highway 401 into Toronto. The suspects eventually ditched the vehicle on Thorncliff Park Road in Toronto and fled on foot. The DRPS K-9 officer and his partner PSD Hawk tracked the suspects to a nearby apartment and apprehended the passenger.

The driver fled on foot.

The passenger was treated at hospital for a bite wound and released.

James Scott, 41, was arrested and charged with: Theft over $5,000, two counts of Possession of Property Obtained by Crime under $5,000; andTheft of Motor Vehicle. He was held for a bail hearing.

The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with new information is asked to contact Det. Naccarato of the East Division Criminal Investigations Bureau at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 1606.

Anonymous tips can be made to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or on the website at www.durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca and tipsters are eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000.