Ontario Provincial Police are releasing more information about an incident that shut down Highway 400 near Mount St. Louis Road on Saturday night.
OPP say a man was taking a taxi to Sudbury when he demanded to be let out of the vehicle at around 8:45 p.m., Sept. 16.
Police say he got out on the side of the highway, but allegedly left behind cash and a firearm in the back of the cab.
OPP shut down the highway in both directions and called in crews, including a canine team and air support from York Regional Police, to search for the man.
Police say they found another loaded gun nearby, along with a lot of cash and a large quantity of what is believed to be cocaine, but they couldn’t find the suspect.
Just after 2:30 a.m., Sunday morning, police were informed of a suspicious person walking along the highway. Officers soon tracked him down and they believed he was the same person who got out of the cab.
Overall, OPP seized two loaded handguns, ammunition, approximately 454 grams of cocaine and about $18,000 in Canadian currency.
Jordan Cole, 25, of Sudbury has been charged with:
- Careless storage of a firearm
- Possession of a weapon for dangerous purpose (two counts)
- Unauthorized possession of a firearm (two counts)
- Knowledge of unauthorized possession of a firearm (two counts)
- Occupant of a motor vehicle knowing there was a firearm (two counts)
- Possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm (two counts)
- Tampering with the serial number of a firearm
- Possession of a Schedule 1 substance for the purpose of trafficking - Opioid
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000
- Careless storage of a firearm
- Failure to comply with a probation order
- Failure to comply with a release order
- Unauthorized possession of a weapon
The accused is scheduled to have a bail hearing today.
In addition, while OPP were dealing with this incident, police say a driver sped through their investigation area.
That suspect is facing several charges including impaired driving and flight from police.
Original story below:
Provincial police are urging motorists not to pick up hitchhikers in the Moonstone or Midhurst areas due to an ongoing investigation Saturday night.
At 9:46 p.m., Sept 16, OPP Central Region Communications said all Highway 400 lanes were closed between Highway 93 and Moonstone Road East for an "ongoing investigation."
Police were asking people to avoid the area.
No details have been released about the nature of the investigation.
Around 10:30 p.m., police asked anyone who witnesses "suspicious behaviour" in the area to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122.
BarrieToday will have more information as it becomes available.
