NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
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Members of the Orillia Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police have arrested and charged a male driver with numerous offences after he refused to stop for police then unlawfully entered two houses.
On Jan. 2, 2020, shortly after 9 a.m., police received a call reporting that a male was behind the wheel of a parked vehicle in a Murphy Road business parking lot and that he was not responding to people knocking on the window.
Before officers arrived, the driver woke and drove the vehicle from the parking lot. An officer observed the vehicle a short distance away and attempted to conduct a traffic stop as it was believed that the driver was impaired.
The driver fled and, a short time later, police received a call from a homeowner who reported that a male had entered their garage and then fled on foot. The suspect was arrested a few minutes later and the officer was able identify him as the driver from the earlier complaint.
As a result, Marcel Diotte, age 55, from Bracebridge, has been charged with:
- Operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs
- Failure or refusal to comply with demand
- Dangerous operation
- Flight from peace officer
- Operation while prohibited
- Break, enter a place - with intent to commit indictable offence
- Break, enter a dwelling house - with intent to commit indictable offence
- Possession - break in instruments
- Two counts of fail to comply with probation order
The accused was held for a bail hearing and is set to appear next on Jan. 6, 2021 at the Ontario Court of Justice, Barrie.
The Orillia OPP would like to thank everyone who share the responsibility of keeping our roads, trails and waterways safe by reporting impaired drivers. We are committed to serving our province, including the Townships of Oro-Medonte, Ramara and Severn and the City of Orillia, by protecting its citizens, upholding the law and preserving public safety.
If you have any information about crime in our community please contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or report minor occurrences online by visiting www.opp.ca/reporting. You can also call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submit your information online at www.crimestopperssdm.com if you have any information on this crime or any other crime.
Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display and you will remain anonymous. Being anonymous, you will not testify in court and your information may lead to a cash reward of up to $2,000.00.
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