On November 5, 2024, a series of events led to the arrest of a 34-year-old individual, Joseph Connell, from Curve Lake, after a stolen vehicle was involved in multiple incidents in Northumberland.
At approximately 4:00 p.m., Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a report of a stolen vehicle from a business located off County Road 2 in Grafton. Around the same time, reports came in about a single-vehicle collision on Highway 401 near Lyle Street. The driver of the vehicle involved in the crash failed to remain at the scene and fled on foot. It is believed that Connell may have received a lift from an unsuspecting member of the public to Grafton, where he stole a vehicle.
OPP quickly received a description of the stolen vehicle and its direction of travel. An officer on patrol soon spotted the vehicle heading westbound on County Road 2, but when the officer attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver failed to comply. The chase continued, and shortly after, the stolen vehicle was involved in another single-vehicle collision near County Road 2 and Normar Road in Cobourg. The driver once again fled on foot, attempting to hide nearby.
Within a short time, police located Connell, arrested him, and took him into custody. No injuries were reported in the incidents, and no other vehicles were involved.
As a result of his actions, Joseph Connell has been charged with several offenses, including theft of a motor vehicle, flight from a peace officer, and two counts of failing to remain at the scene of an accident.
Connell was held for a bail hearing and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Cobourg.
