POLICE FINALLY NAB FLEEING DRIVER WHO ELUDED THEM 3 TIMES

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

BRACEBRIDGE — The driver of a vehicle who eluded police three times — injuring a Huntsville officer in the first incident last August — was in bail court here this morning.

He and another person, both Mississauga residents, were arrested yesterday, and held in custody, appearing today via video at the Ontario Court of Justice in Bracebridge.

They face multiple driving and drug charges related to a pair of attempted stops by the OPP — including a police chase through Bracebridge and Gravenhurst.

The OPP say the Muskoka-wide investigation and trail began Aug. 15 when officers in Huntsville were conducting RIDE stop on Hwy. 11 at Hwy. 592.

During the stop, an officer attempted to arrest a driver in relation to a drug investigation and he was dragged for a distance before crashing into a concrete barrier.

The officer sustained injuries that required a visit to hospital.

Meanwhile, the driver of the vehicle fled without apprehension.

Police followed up with the Muskoka Crime Unit and Muskoka Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU) investigating the stop and also the drug trafficking case.

On Nov. 11 investigating officers were again foiled twice when the driver failed to stop for police and was involved in a collision on Cedar Lane in Bracebridge, before being chases into Gravenhurst where the suspect abandoned the vehicle and fled again.

On Sunday Dec. 13 the Muskoka CSCU conducted an arrest of two parties as a result of this investigation.

They say during the arrest they found crack cocaine, cocaine and fentanyl with an estimated street value of $16,386, while recovering $1,765 in cash.

Shyheem Copeland, 20, is charged from Aug. 15 with:

  • Obstruct Peace Officer S. 129(a) Criminal Code
  • Dangerous Operation Causing Bodily Harm S. 320.13(2) Criminal Code
  • Fail to Stop at Accident resulting in Bodily Harm S. 320.16(2) Criminal Code
  • Flight from Police Officer S. 320.17 Criminal Code
  • Fail to Comply with Probation S. 733.1(1) Criminal Code
  • Driver Fail to Surrender Licence S. 33(1) Highway Traffic Act
  • Fail to Surrender Insurance Card S. 3(1) Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act

And from Nov. 11 with:

  • Dangerous Operation S. 320.13(1) Criminal Code
  • Flight from Peace Officer S. 320.17 Criminal Code
  • Failure to Stop after Accident S. 320.16(1) Criminal Code
  • Fail to Comply with Probation S. 733.1(1) Criminal Code
  • December 13, 2020
  • Possession of a Schedule 1 Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking – Crack Cocaine S. 5(2) Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
  • Possession of a Schedule 1 Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking – Cocaine S. 5(2) Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
  • Possession of a Schedule 1 Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking – Fentanyl S. 5(2) Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
  • Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000 S. 355(b) Criminal Code
  • Fail to Comply with Probation S. 733.1(1) Criminal Code

Also arrested was Khalid Olamide Animashaun, 26, who was charged with:

  • Possession of a Schedule 1 Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking – Crack Cocaine S. 5(2) Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
  • Possession of a Schedule 1 Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking – Cocaine S. 5(2) Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
  • Possession of a Schedule 1 Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking – Fentanyl S. 5(2) Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
  • Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000 S. 355(b) Criminal Code
Cash and drugs worth about $18,000 seized by police.