Chatham-Kent Police Service officials allege: On April 27, 2025, at approximately 6:05 a.m., emergency crews responded to a motor vehicle collision at the intersection of Middle Line and Charing Cross Road in Harwich Township.
A truck collided with a hydro pole.
An observant area resident played an important role in this incident by reporting that individuals were seen removing property from the truck before entering a black minivan that subsequently left the scene.
The resident followed the minivan and maintained communication with emergency services, providing detailed information.
Upon arrival at the collision site, police located the driver of the truck, a 35-year-old man from Chatham, who appeared intoxicated. He was arrested for impaired driving and transported to CKPS Headquarters for breath tests.
The driver was subsequently charged with impaired driving and operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration exceeding the legal limit.
He has been released with conditions and is scheduled to appear in court on May 12, 2025.
At 6:32 a.m., the resident’s information led to a traffic stop on the black minivan at Eighth Line and Dillon Road.
Officers suspected the driver of the minivan, a woman, to be impaired and arrested her for impaired driving.
She was transported to CKPS Headquarters for breath tests.
During this traffic stop, police discovered that the passenger in the minivan was the subject of a Canadian Immigration Warrant.
A search of the vehicle, conducted incident to the arrest, uncovered a loaded Glock firearm with the serial number filed off, positioned within reach of both the driver and the passenger.
Consequently, both individuals were arrested for various firearm offences and held for bail.
The charges against the 34-year-old woman from Wallaceburg and the 38-year-old man from Harwich Township include:
– Possession of a Loaded Prohibited Firearm (s. 95(1) CC)
– Possession of a Firearm Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized (s. 92(1) CC)
– Tampering with Serial Number of a Firearm (s. 108(11)(a) CC)
– Possession of a Prohibited Firearm with Ammunition (s. 92(2) CC)
– Occupant of Motor Vehicle Knowing There was a Firearm (s. 94 CC)
– Possession of a Concealed Firearm (s. 90 OC)
Additionally, the woman was charged with impaired driving and operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration exceeding the legal limit.
We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the resident for their quick thinking and cooperation, which played a vital role in ensuring public safety during these incidents.
