Stolen vehicles, escape attempt on foot across Highway 401, keep Clarington cops busy

An argument in Bowmanville Sunday that led to a stolen car and a wild and dangerous drive through the town and a subsequent escape attempt on foot across live lanes of Highway 401 has a Barbados man facing multiple charges.

Durham Police responded to a trouble call early Sunday afternoon near Concession Street and Soper Creek Drive after the suspect stole a Volkswagen sedan following an altercation. The suspect drove the vehicle in a dangerous manner, police said, nearly causing multiple accidents, before abandoning the vehicle and fleeing on foot in near Holt Road and Highway 401.

The man then fled across live lanes of the highway into a farmer’s field before officers captured him and took him into custody near Rundle Road.

The suspect did not sustain any physical injuries.

Kashif Niles, 27, is charged with motor vehicle theft and dangerous operation.

He was held for a bail hearing.

Anyone with cell phone, dash cam, surveillance footage or information about this incident is asked to contact D/Cst. Brazill of the Central West Division Criminal Investigations Branch at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 1905.

Police are also searching for at least two suspects after a vehicle was stolen from a business in Courtice on Friday evening.

Police responded to a break-and-enter call at a business at Courtice Road and Baseline Road just after 10 p.m. after two men arrived in a dark-coloured Ford pick-up truck and allegedly broke onto the business property through the front gate and stole a parked black Audi sedan. Officers later located the pick-up truck abandoned near Shuttleworth Drive and Partner Drive.

Anyone with cell phone, dash cam, surveillance footage or information about this incident is asked to contact D/Cst. Edwards of the East Crime Team at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 2732.

Anonymous information on either incident can be sent to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca and tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward.