Northern Ontario man faces multiple charges after early-morning traffic stop

An Ontario Provincial Police officer speaks to a driver during a traffic stop in this undated police image. (File photo/Ontario Provincial Police/X)

A 36-year-old resident of Papineau-Cameron Township has been charged with impaired driving and motor vehicle theft following a traffic stop in Mattawa early Saturday morning.

“An officer from the North Bay OPP conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle on McConnell Street in Mattawa after observing unusual driving behaviour and a dirty plate cover that rendered the licence plate unreadable,” police said in a news release.

During the interaction with the driver, OPP said the officer observed signs consistent with impairment by drugs. Police said officers also later confirmed that the driver’s licence was under suspension.

Transported to local detachment

“The driver was arrested and transported to the North Bay OPP detachment for further testing,” said police said.

Vehicle stolen

Further investigation revealed that the vehicle did not belong to the driver. Police confirmed the vehicle had been stolen as reported by its owner.

OPP said that during a drug recognition evaluation at the detachment, the accused refused to comply with a portion of the evaluation.

Charges, penalties, court appearances

The 36-year-old man has been charged with impaired driving, failing or refusing to comply with a demand, motor vehicle theft, driving while under a suspension, and driving with an obstructed plate.

In addition to the charges, the motorist was issued an immediate 90-day driver’s licence suspension.

The accused was released following a bail hearing and is scheduled to appear in court in North Bay on May 12.