A busy weekend for Durham Regional Police in Clarington saw two separate stolen vehicle incidents, including a wild chase that ended with a suspect running across live lanes of Highway 401.
The first incident unfolded Sunday afternoon in Bowmanville after an argument escalated into a dangerous joyride through the community. Durham Police responded to a trouble call near Concession Street and Soper Creek Drive after a man stole a Volkswagen sedan following an altercation with another individual.
The suspect then drove the stolen vehicle in what police described as a dangerous manner through Bowmanville, nearly causing multiple collisions along the way. He eventually abandoned the vehicle near Holt Road and Highway 401 and attempted to flee on foot.
In a dramatic escape attempt, the man ran across live lanes of Highway 401 into a farmer’s field on the other side. Officers pursued and took him into custody near Rundle Road. The suspect did not sustain any physical injuries during the chase.
Kashif Niles, 27, of Barbados has been charged with motor vehicle theft and dangerous operation. He was held for a bail hearing. Anyone with cell phone footage, dash cam video, surveillance footage, or information about this Clarington stolen vehicles incident is asked to contact D/Cst. Brazill of the Central West Division Criminal Investigations Branch at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 1905.
In a separate incident, police are searching for at least two suspects after a vehicle was stolen from a business in Courtice on Friday evening. Officers responded to a break-and-enter call at a business near Courtice Road and Baseline Road shortly after 10 p.m.
Two men arrived at the property in a dark-coloured Ford pickup truck and allegedly broke through the front gate, stealing a parked black Audi sedan from the business. Police later found the Ford pickup abandoned near Shuttleworth Drive and Partner Drive, but the Audi and the suspects remain at large.
Durham Police are asking anyone with information about the Courtice theft to contact D/Cst. Edwards of the East Crime Team at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 2732.
Anonymous tips related to either of the Clarington stolen vehicles cases can be submitted to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca. Tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward.
Both incidents highlight a concerning trend of vehicle thefts across Durham Region, where Clarington and its communities of Bowmanville and Courtice have seen an uptick in property crime in recent months. Residents are encouraged to lock vehicles, store keys away from doors, and consider anti-theft devices for high-value vehicles.
