NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
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As a result of a traffic stop on Robert Street in Penetanguishene, an officer from the Southern Georgian Bay OPP Detachment entered into a suspected drinking and driving investigation at approximately 1:20 a.m. on March 4.
After speaking with the driver, the officer made an arrest for failing to comply with demand as part of the investigation and transported the accused to the detachment for further investigation. Further interaction between the accused and investigating officers led to damage to the detachment interior and additional charges.
As a result of these investigations, a Penetanguishene resident has been charged with the following offences:
- Failure or refusal to comply with a demand
- Assault a peace officer
- Mischief - destroys or damages property
And further with:
- Use plate not authorized for a vehicle, contrary to the Highway Traffic Act
- Driver failing to surrender licence, contrary to the Highway Traffic Act
The accused was held in custody in custody to appear before bail court and will appear before the Ontario Court of Justice at a future date. The accused also faces a 90-day driver's licence suspension as per the Ministry of Transportation (ADLS) guidelines and a seven-day vehicle impound.
#2 Investigation
A Midland resident has been charged with impaired driving after OPP received a call from a community member about a potentially impaired driver and conducted a traffic stop.
The officers stopped the suspect driver on Sundowner Road in Midland, and upon speaking with the driver, the officer entered into a drinking and driving investigation.
As a result of this investigation Rebecca Stewart, 23, of Midland, has been charged criminally with the following offences:
- Operation while impaired - alcohol
- Operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
The accused was released from police custody on a recognizance to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice at a later date. The accused also faces a 90-day driver's licence suspension per the Ministry of Transportation (ADLS) guidelines and a seven-day vehicle impound.
The 23-year-old Midland also received a provincial offences notice for consuming liquor in an unauthorized place contrary to the Liquor Licence and Control Act.
#3 Investigation
On March 4, around 3:37 a.m., an officer on patrol had to take evasive action to avoid an oncoming vehicle with no headlights on Heritage Drive near Jones Road in Midland. The officer quickly stopped the vehicle without incident and entered into a drinking and driving investigation upon speaking with the driver.
As a result of this investigation, Shawn Pittam, 29, of Tay Township, has been charged criminally with:
- Operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs
- Operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
The accused was released from police custody on a recognizance to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice on March 16. The accused also faces a 90-day driver's licence suspension as per the Ministry of Transportation (ADLS) guidelines and a seven-day vehicle impound.
Educating the public about safe driving practices with our community safety partners is a priority. If you see a possible impaired driver on our roadways, waterways or trails, please "Make the Call" and dial 911, as impaired driving never ends well; please make a plan to get home safely.
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