An Oakville man has been arrested and received eight charges after police caught him speeding, fleeing and alleged possession of cocaine.
Last Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, at approximately 8:00 a.m., OPP were conducting radar enforcement on Highway 401 eastbound in the Municipality of Port Hope. Police observed a pick-up truck travelling at a speed of 161 km/h.
Officers say they activated their emergency lights as the vehicle continued at varying rates of high speed. The pick-up truck was then, "observed driving erratically and without moving over, passed an OPP cruiser parked on the hard shoulder with lights activated at another traffic stop," according to police.
As the driver observed more patrol cars, they decelerated and pulled over to the hard shoulder. The accused was then placed under arrest and police located approximately 0.3 grams of suspected cocaine with a street value of $30.
Dante Colaianni, 57-years-old, from Oakville, has been charged with:
- Dangerous Operation
- Flight from peace officer
- Possession of a Schedule I substance - Cocaine
- Drive motor vehicle - perform stunt - excessive speed
- Fail to slow down and proceed with caution for emergency vehicle or tow truck
- Fail to properly wear seat belt
- Fail to signal - lane change
- Fail to surrender insurance card.
The accused was held for bail to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Cobourg. They also had their driver's license suspended for 30 days and vehicle impounded for 14 days.
The next day, Sept. 8, 2024, at approximately 1:35 a.m., police responded to a report of a structure fire at a residential address on Wright Road in the Municipality of Port Hope. The Fire Department advised that a passer-by had reported the fire and that they, along with Emergency Medical Services (EMS) were on route.
Officers arrived and made efforts to ascertain the safety of persons associated to the address while firefighters addressed the blaze. The building sustained major damage as a result of the incident. Occupants usually at the location were not there and police were able to determine that there were no parties at the residence.
At this time, foul play is not suspected by police and not suspected to be a connection between the two cases.
Drivers are reminded that no amount of alcohol or drugs in your system is safe when driving. The OPP remains committed to taking alcohol/drug-impaired drivers off our roads through enforcement and public education. Arrive alive, drive sober.