FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, June 2, 2020 4:15pm
(Ottawa)–Today, Central Criminal Investigations have charged a man following an incident yesterday in the area of Booth and Louisa Streets.
At approximately 6:50pm, a frontline officer stopped a vehicle for a highway traffic infraction, seeing the passenger was not wearing a seatbelt.
As the officer approached the vehicle to speak with the passenger, the passenger immediately exited the vehicle and began walking away. He was repeatedly asked to stop and refused. He then pushed the officer, fled and a foot pursuit ensued.
Another officer attended and assisted in locating the suspect nearby. As the 2nd officer attempted to arrest the passenger, the suspect pushed the officer and kept running. The officers caught up to the man, yet another scuffle ensued and officers used OC Spray, which had no effect on him.
The male again fled and this time, he ran towards the arresting officer’s police vehicle and managed to get into the driver’s seat while both officers attempted to restrain him. The suspect set the vehicle in motion, dragging one of the officers for a short distance as the officer managed to free himself from the moving vehicle.
The suspect then drove off in the police vehicle, at a high rate of speed, into a nearby park where people were present and he struck a brick wall. Responding officers were able to arrest the suspect without further incident. The arrested suspect provided a false name to officers.
The ensuing investigation revealed that the suspect was James RUSH, 35 year old, of no fixed address and that he was wanted on a warrant for several offences including Robbery, Possession of a weapon, Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, Theft of a motor vehicle, Dive while prohibited and breach of probation x4.
The suspect suffered a minor injury as a result of his collision; and no officers were seriously injured during the incident.
In addition to the previously issued warrant, James RUSH was charged today with:
- Assault with intent to resist or prevent lawful arrest x2
- Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle
- Operation of a Conveyance while Prohibited
- Flight from Peace Officer
- Theft of a Motor Vehicle
- Obstruct a Peace Officer
- Fail to comply with a Judicial release x4
- Unlawfully Possess Schedule I Substance x3
He is scheduled to appear in court today.
The investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Ottawa Police Central Criminal Investigation Unit at 613-236-1222, ext. 5166.
Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 or at crimestoppers.ca.
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