Police say they have recovered a vehicle that was reported stolen months ago from Toronto, in Innisfil. According to South Simcoe Police, officers discovered a Dodge Durango SRT parked at a rest stop along Highway 400 around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday. The vehicle reportedly had a flat tire, a heavily tinted licence plate cover and “several indicators” that its vehicle identification number (VIN) was altered. As police conducted their investigation, they determined the VIN belonged to a salvage vehicle from Michigan and the SRT police had found, was reported stolen in Toronto in late April. It was while police were investigating the Durango that a black Ford Explorer ST arrived and parked beside it. Police say the occupants of the Explorer seemed unaware that officers were on location. One person got out of the Explorer and approached the Durango and the Explorer left the area. Police say a man associated with the Durango was arrested. Though searching the vehicle and the property, police seized a variety of items, such as a stolen Ontario licence plate, a prohibited switchblade knife, oleoresin capsicum spray and unspecified break-and-enter tools. Additionally, police found and seized liquor believed to have been stolen from an LCBO, an automobile master key, blank vehicle key fobs and “additional evidence associated with vehicle theft” and VIN alteration. A 26-year-old man from Brampton now faces a series of charges including possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000, possession of an automobile master key and possession of break-in instruments. In addition to the possession charges, the man faces two counts of unauthorized possession of a weapon, one count of altering, removing or obliterating a vehicle identification number, two counts of failing to comply with a release order, three counts of breach of recognizance and six counts of breach of probation. The driver of the Explorer however reportedly got away from police. Police say once the Explorer dropped the man off, it drove off and was later located near Highway 89 and Sideroad 5. When officers attempted to stop the vehicle, police say it drove toward Hwy. 400 but a pursuit of the vehicle was called off by police for public safety. Provincial police later located the vehicle travelling southbound on Hwy. 400, but again the vehicle did not stop and fled. Police say they can confirm that the Explorer had also been reported stolen, however an investigation into the search for the driver and vehicle remains on-going.
