St. Catharines man facing 12 charges after allegedly fleeing from police during traffic stop

A St. Catharines man is facing 12 charges under the Criminal Code, Highway Traffic Act, and the Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act after fleeing from police during a traffic stop in 2025. (Police handout)

A St. Catharines man is facing 12 charges after allegedly fleeing from police during a traffic stop this week.

Niagara police said that at around 2 p.m. on March 2, a uniformed officer was in the area of Queenston and Ida streets in St. Catharines when they observed a pickup truck with licence plates not authorized for it.

The officer initiated a traffic stop, and the driver fled on foot. The truck was towed and seized for seven days.

The driver, 40-year-old Joshua Stephens, returned a short time later and was arrested and charged with 12 different offences under the Criminal Code, Highway Traffic Act, and the Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act, including flight from police, failing to comply with a release order, and driving a motor vehicle with no licence, among others.

Police say Stephens remains in custody and was scheduled to attend a bail hearing today.