Knife crime wave began and ended with crashes

A 32-year-old Ottawa man — already accused of ramming city police cruisers last week — is now facing OPP charges in relation to a carjacking, an armed robbery and two crashes in a single afternoon.

On Friday morning, a white cube van was stolen from the area of George and William streets in Ottawa. About three hours later, Grenville County OPP learned of a single-vehicle crash on County Road 15 near Merrickville.

But before police could arrive, a motorist stopped to help the driver. The suspect threatened the Good Samaritan with an “edged weapon” and demanded a ride in his truck, police allege. They started toward Kemptville, but soon after, the suspect left the motorist by the side of the road and fled in his truck.

Officers tried to pull over the second stolen vehicle, but broke off the pursuit because the vehicle was being driven dangerously, the OPP said.

At about 12:50 p.m., the driver threatened staff at a Spencerville gas station with the weapon and took alcohol and cigarettes, police allege.

He was later arrested when the stolen truck crashed on Rooney Road in Edwardsburgh/Cardinal Township.

Ronald Eby, of no fixed address, is charged with dangerous driving, flight while pursued by police, impaired driving, uttering threats, forcible confinement, theft of a motor vehicle over $5,000, two counts of armed robbery, three counts of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, mischief under $5,000, failing to comply with a probation order and breach of recognizance.

He was held for a court appearance in Brockville.

On Nov. 20, Ottawa police charged Eby with drug-impaired driving, dangerous driving, flight from police, mischief, resisting arrest, failure to stop, misuse of licence plates, driving without a licence and breach of probation.

Police allege that patrol officers tried to pull over a vehicle on King Edward Avenue, but the vehicle wouldn’t stop and instead intentionally drove into the cruisers in a bid to flee. The driver was arrested at the scene and taken to hospital by paramedics.