Bicycle getaway from cops leads to charges for man from Brampton

Police have laid several charges against a bike rider from Brampton after trying to make a two-wheeled getaway from officers in Northern Ontario.

The incident started last month when the OPP says officers from the James Bay detachment were called about a suspicious person approximately 20 km south of Moosonee, a small town near Hudson Bay with no roads in or out and is only accessible by plane or train.

Police say the suspect was seen getting off the train approximately 20 km south of Moosonee on June 28, but police never located the individual.

Fast forward to Wednesday, when the OPP says officers spotted two bicycle riders on Hutchison Road in Moosonee at 2 a.m. with no lights on. Police say they tried to stop the bicyclists but one of the riders failed to identify themselves and took off from the traffic stop on their bike.

Police tracked the suspect to a nearby residence, and when confronted by officers the man gave police a fake name.

The 24-year-old man was arrested and police say the accused is the same suspect from the July 28 incident. A 36-year-old man from Moose Factory was also arrested.

Both accused persons remain in custody awaiting a bail hearing before the Ontario Court of Justice in Moosonee.

The OPP says Lamar Johnson, 24, of Brampton, has been charged with two counts each of obstruct peace officer and failure to comply with a probation order, and one count of failure to comply with a release order. Joshua Jeffries, 36, of Moose Factory, has been charged with three counts of failure to comply with a release order.

Police say both of the accused are still in custody awaiting a bail hearing.

Anyone with information about this incident can contact the OPP by calling 1-888-310-1122. Anonymous tips may also be provided to Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-8477 or visiting www.ontariocrimestoppers.ca.