September 19th Police Briefs

By Greg Murphy

Northumberland OPP officers worked with the OPP Aviation Service, the Central Region Emergency Response Team and the canine unit to apprehend three individuals involved in a high-speed pursuit.

Members of the OPP Aviation Service, conducting aerial enforcement west of Port Hope along Highway 401 near Cranberry Road, observed a motor vehicle speeding and notified OPP units on the ground, initiating a pursuit.

Officers in the aircraft monitored the direction and location of the vehicle. The occupants of the vehicle eventually fled on foot, heading into the woods in Northumberland County. Responding officers, assisted by the Central Region Emergency Response Team and the canine unit, set up a containment area in which the suspects were taken into custody.

Police seized 117 grams of cannabis, with a street value of $2,000, and 182 grams of cocaine, with a street value of $16,800, when they searched the suspect’s 2002 Honda Civic. Police also seized a machete, a hatchet and other knives in the vehicle.

Cody Allen Purtell, 19, of no fixed address, Garret Jones, 19, of Hastings Highlands, and a 17 -year-old male, who cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, face numerous charges, including possession for the purpose of trafficking, trafficking and possession of weapons charges. Purtell had additional charges laid, including flight from police and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.

All are held in custody for a bail hearing today in the Ontario Court of Justice in Cobourg.

Also in the news:

Belleville Police Service were called to investigate a report of an impaired driver at approximately 10:08 p.m. on Sept. 18.

According to a police brief, the caller, who reported the driver’s erratic driving, started following the vehicle until police managed to pull the car over just south of Adam Street on Cannifton Road.

Lynn Hipwell, 69, of Belleville was arrested and faces charges of impaired driving. She was released on a promise to appear with a court date on Oct 17.

Around 3:45 a.m. on Sept. 19, Belleville Police Service was called to a residence on William Street to investigate a report of a male breaking into a garage.

Responding officers found the homeowner was awakened by sounds coming from the garage. A male suspect, attempting to steal tools, was confronted and fled northbound towards Forin Street.

He is described as white, in his 20’s, six feet tall with a thin build. He wore a dark hoody with jeans and said his name was “Justin” before he fled. Anyone with information can contact the Belleville Police Service or Quinte Crimestoppers at 613-969-8477.