NEWS RELEASE
BARRIE POLICE SERVICE
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Last night, within a 38-minute time span, the Barrie Police Service received three separate calls from concerned community members after the actions of a driver appeared to be somewhat out of the ordinary.
The driver, who was operating a brown coloured Honda Civic was stopping and attempting to engage people in conversation in return for money.
In one case, while on Spencer Avenue, some children were playing street hockey and the motorist got out of the car and began to talk about hockey. He then took a shot on net and then gave each of the youths that were playing some money.
The motorist then drove off, but the children involved obtained the licence plate, told a parent, who in turn contacted the Police.
It was within minutes that the two other calls were received and police began to search for the motor vehicle and the lone male occupant. Each call to the Barrie Police provided detailed information on the car and the driver involved.
Shortly after 9:30 p.m., police located the motor vehicle and driver in question in a parking lot near Big Bay Point Road and Leggott Avenue.
Showing signs of impairment, the 26-year old male driver was arrested and is now charged with Operation while Impaired and Refusal to Comply with a Demand (Breath Sample). He is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice located in Barrie on May 8, 2019.
The Barrie Police Service wish to thank the public for their assistance last night and for the excellent information that the members of the public provided to our call takers, which ultimately led police to removing an impaired driver from our streets.
This is an excellent example of what can happen when the police and the community work together.
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