Wanted man arrested after excavator standoff on Manitoulin Island

An undated photo of the front of a UCCM police vehicle with lights flashing. (File photo/Supplied/UCCM Anishnaabe Police Service)

A 24-year-old Manitoulin Island man faces multiple charges after allegedly refusing to exit an excavator when officers attempted to arrest him on an outstanding warrant.

UCCM Anishnaabe Police responded to an address on Hill Street in M’Chigeeng First Nation at about 6:49 p.m. on May 1, following a tip that a wanted man was at the location.

The First Nation police service said officers located the man operating an excavator on the property.

“(He) was wanted on an outstanding warrant for failing to comply with a release order,” police said in a news release.

Arrest, charges

UCCM police said officers, along with members of the canine unit, advised the man that he was under arrest. However, officers said he failed to stop and continued operating the excavator for an extended period before eventually exiting the machine and surrendering to police.

No injuries were reported as a result of the incident.

The man was subsequently taken into custody and charged with flight from a peace officer, dangerous operation of a vehicle and five counts of failing to comply with a release order.

The accused was held in custody pending a bail hearing.