K-9 Unit ends stolen car chase in north Oshawa-Whitby that led to multiple collisions

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Published June 27, 2022 at 12:15 pm

A Montreal man is facing multiple charges and serious jail time after stealing a Lexus, fleeing from police and smashing into three other vehicles before he was finally caught by the Durham Police K-9 unit.

A suspect was arrested after fleeing in a stolen Lexus SUV that was also involved in three collisions in north Whitby.

East Division officers were dispatched to a suspicious vehicle call on Friday, June 24 at 2:30 p.m., in a plaza near Taunton Rd E and Harmony Rd N in Oshawa. The suspicious vehicle was confirmed to be stolen from a residence in Oshawa earlier in the day. The vehicle left the area but was later located by Central West Division officers near Baldwin Street North and Highway 407.

Officers attempted to stop the car, but the suspect ignored calls to pull over and police discontinued pursuing the vehicle due to safety concerns. The stolen vehicle continued driving erratically and struck an occupied Dodge Caravan near Winchester Rd E and Baldwin St N in Brooklin and then struck an unoccupied red Audi AQ5 and an occupied GMC Terrain. One of the occupants was taken to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The stolen vehicle sustained serious damage from the collisions and the suspect fled from the vehicle. PC Wes King, K9 Klutch teamed up to track and locate the man, with Klutch finding him hiding in some deep brush. He wisely surrendered without Incident.

Jean-Baptiste Ronel, 19, is charged with flight from police; dangerous operation of a vehicle; three counts of leave accident scene – fail to help, possession property obtained by crime over $5,000; auto theft and possession of crystal meth.

He was held for a bail hearing.

Anyone with new information about this investigation is asked to contact Cst. Boodhoo of Central West Division at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 3845.

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