London man arrested after crime spree

(CTV News file photo)

A London man is in custody in relation to several investigations over the past two weeks.

Around 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday, police saw a vehicle with heavy front-end damage in a parking lot near Oxford Street east and Gammage Street, the person in the driver seat appeared to be sleeping.

After checking the license plate, the officer noticed the plates had been reported stolen the day before and the vehicle was involved in a recent gas theft.

When police approached the driver-side door and told the man he was under arrest, he put the vehicle in motion, driving forward and backwards, striking three police cruisers causing $10,000 in damages — the door of one of the vehicles struck an officer.

The driver proceeded over a curb, across the grass and sidewalk, before fleeing westbound on Oxford Street east.

After continuing to investigate, police learned the vehicle was reported stolen June 14.

Timeline of events

A 32-year-old man from London has been charged with failure to stop for police, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, dangerous operation of a vehicle, resist arrest, failure to stop at scene of accident, operation while prohibited, two counts of theft under $5,000 and possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000.