Pair charged after Stratford police officer dragged by stolen pickup

Two people have been arrested after a Stratford Police officer was dragged through a parking lot while trying to stop the driver of a suspected stolen vehicle from fleeing.

On Tuesday, Jan. 24, at approximately 10:30 p.m. the Stratford Police Service was conducting an investigation regarding a stolen vehicle and had attended the Canadian Tire Gas Bar at 1101 Ontario St. in Stratford.

At the gas bar, the investigating officer observed a male and female in a black Dodge Ram pickup truck that was confirmed stolen out of Parkhill.

The vehicle was unrelated to the initial stolen vehicle investigation.

The officer exited the police cruiser and approached the male suspect as the suspect was exiting the store at the gas bar.

The male immediately pushed the officer to the ground and ran to the truck where he got into the passenger seat, while the female was in the driver’s seat.

The officer pursued the male to the truck and attempted to pull him out while telling him he was under arrest.

The female driver put the vehicle into drive and sped away at a high rate of speed, Stratford Police said in a news release.

The officer was entangled with the male and was unable to pull away, police said.

As the pickup sped away, the officer was dragged alongside the vehicle, through the parking lot before falling and nearly being run over.

As a result, the officer suffered several injuries and was transported to hospital by EMS.

The truck was last seen travelling westbound away from the Canadian Tire on Ontario Street. Police attempted to search for the vehicle and the two occupants, but were unable to locate them at that time.

On Wednesday, Stratford Police located the pair with the assistance of the Woodstock Police Service.

Shortly after 4 p.m., the male was observed driving the truck from the previous night, with the female in the passenger seat.

The vehicle had stopped for a train in the area of Dublin, where officers attempted to box the truck in, hoping to avoid a pursuit.

The male driver drove the truck directly toward an officer, who was out on foot. The officer was able to jump away, but the truck struck two of the police vehicles before driving off the roadway.

Officers made another attempt to box the truck in, however the driver drove directly at another police vehicle, crashing into it before fleeing on foot.

The male was apprehended moments later when he continued to resist arrest and made further attempts to flee.

Officers were eventually able to contain the male without further injury and he was transported to Stratford Police Headquarters.

During the altercation with the male, the female remained in the truck and was arrested without incident. The female was also transported to Stratford Police Headquarters.

While speaking with the male, police observed signs that he was impaired by drug, resulting in him also being arrested and charged for impaired operation. 

A 27-year-old male from Mitchell, and 30-year-old female from Goderich have been charged. 

The male is known to police and is currently bound by a probation order after being convicted for several offences. 

Both have been charged with possession of stolen property over $5,000 and possession of stolen property under $5,000. Other charges include assault with a weapon, resisting arrest and driving-related crimes. 

Accused are in custody, scheduled to attend court Jan. 31.

The officer involved in the incident was released from hospital after receiving treatment for the injuries sustained. The officer will be off work for an undetermined amount of time.