Wanted northern Ont. man faces additional charges after providing false identity to police

An Ontario Provincial Police officer handcuffs an unknown male suspect in this undated image. (Ontario Provincial Police/Facebook)

A 22-year-old man, from Fort Frances, Ont., is facing multiple charges after allegedly providing a false identity to CN Rail Police during a trespassing incident on Friday.

According to authorities, CN Rail Police initially stopped the man for trespassing on CN property in Fort Frances on Feb. 6. When questioned, the suspect provided a false verbal identity. However, police later discovered the name he provided belonged to an individual wanted by the Rainy River District Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) detachment.

The CN Rail Police contacted the Fort Frances OPP for assistance. Realizing he had been caught, the suspect fled on foot into a nearby wooded area.

“OPP officers arrived on scene and, after a brief search, the male was found hiding behind a tree in a wooded area,” police said.

“A foot pursuit followed, and the male was soon arrested.”

Further investigation revealed the suspect was not the person he had claimed to be. Police also discovered he had several outstanding warrants tied to his real identity.

The 22-year-old now faces charges of personation with intent to avoid arrest in addition to charges related to four previous outstanding arrest warrants.

In a social media post, police offered a ‘tongue-in-cheek’ warning as a result of the incident.

“Here’s a pro tip: If you’re going to try to dodge arrest by providing a fake name, make sure it’s not someone who already has warrants out for their arrest... because that can only lead to more trouble,” OPP wrote.

“Moral of the story: Just be honest with us. We’ll find out eventually and it’s easier for everyone that way.”