Stolen Kitchener SUV used in multiple crashes recovered by police K9 unit

It all began with a stolen SUV from Kitchener — it ended with police dogs sniffing out a suspect hiding near the Ford plant in Oakville.

Halton Regional Police said a red Jeep Cherokee, going very fast through Milton ran a red light beside a public school, shortly after noon on Wednesday.

That was at Louis St. Laurent Avenue and Farmstead Drive.

Police said the Cherokee struck another vehicle carrying a driver and a four-year-old child. The child was not seriously hurt, but the driver went to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The suspect drove off in the stolen vehicle wearing a black ski mask at the time, police said.

The red SUV was then spotted by officers heading south on Highway 25.

The driver allegedly refused to stop for police, while speeding away toward Oakville.

Police said the vehicle got into another crash near the Ford Assembly Plant — there were no serious injuries.

The suspect then allegedly ran off and tried to steal the keys of a Ford employee, but when that failed, he ran into some nearby brush.

A K9 unit sniffed the suspect out, and he was arrested at around 1:40 p.m.

The 42-year-old man, of no fixed address, has been charged with:

• Fail to Stop for Accident (2 counts)
• Dangerous Drive (2 counts)
• Flight from Police
• Drive while Disqualified
• Fail to Comply with Probation Order (2 counts)
• Possession of Stolen Property over $5,000
• Disguise with Intent
• Robbery

Halton Police told CityNews 570 that the suspect was not charged for stealing the Jeep from Kitchener.

Waterloo Regional Police have not responded to our questions for more details about that case.