Elusive driver finally caught on the 401

A Montreal man is facing charges after a person fled from Ontario Provincial Police in Chatham-Kent on Canada Day and was eventually arrested more than 100 kilometres away and driving in the opposite direction.

Police say an officer attempted to stop a vehicle around 7:30 a.m. on the westbound lanes of Highway 401 in Chatham-Kent because the vehicle did not have licence plates. However, the driver hit the gas and fled the scene.

In the interest of public safety, the officer did not pursue the vehicle.

About two hours later, police spotted the vehicle heading east on the 401, not far from where it was first spotted but heading in the opposite direction.

Once again, the vehicle failed to stop, according to police. In fact, the driver ignored two attempts by police to stop him.

Finally, 135 kilometers later, the police managed to stop the vehicle.

It turns out the vehicle was reported stolen in Hamilton.

A 49-year-old Montreal man is charged with possession of stolen property, three counts of fleeing police, mischief, reckless driving and driving a vehicle without license plates.

Anyone with information about this incident can contact the Ontario Provincial Police at 1-888-310-1122 or online at www.opp.ca/reporting. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-84777 (TIPS) or at www.stthomas-elgincrimestoppers.ca where you may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000.