Teen Charged After Driving Stolen Vehicle on Rims and Fleeing Scene on Hwy 401 in Mississauga
Seventeen-year-old male faces multiple charges after leading police on a dangerous car chase and foot pursuit in Mississauga involving a stolen vehicle and masked flight.
A 17-year-old male is facing a series of serious criminal charges after a dramatic incident on Tuesday morning involving a car chase and foot pursuit in Mississauga. The episode began at approximately 6 a.m., when Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) started receiving urgent calls from motorists on Highway 401. Callers reported a vehicle traveling westbound without any tires, riding precariously on its metal rims and creating a hazardous situation for other drivers.
OPP officers soon located the suspect vehicle in the high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane near Winston Churchill Boulevard. As officers attempted to pull the car over, the driver abruptly stopped. According to officials, the individual exited the vehicle while wearing a ski mask and immediately fled the scene on foot, running toward nearby Highway 407. The suspect’s attempt to elude authorities triggered a coordinated response from Mississauga OPP, Peel Regional Police, and Halton Regional Police.
After a short but intensive search, police apprehended the teenager in a wooded area not far from where the car was abandoned. Investigators later determined that the vehicle in question had been reported stolen. Fortunately, no injuries were reported during the incident, either to the suspect, responding officers, or the public.
The teen, who cannot be identified under the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA), has now been charged with twelve separate criminal offenses. These include counts related to vehicle theft, dangerous driving, flight from police, and additional charges stemming from the investigation conducted with cooperation from multiple police services.
The case underscores ongoing concerns over youth involvement in vehicle thefts and high-speed chases across the region. Police are reminding the public to report any suspicious activity on highways and are commending the quick thinking of motorists who initially alerted authorities to the dangerous situation.
