Wanted man on motorbike facing drug and driving offences

A wanted Windsor man with a long criminal record is facing a slew of new drug and driving charges after a weekend incident involving a speeding motorcycle.

Windsor police officers on patrol on Riverside Drive saw a motorcycle speed by about 7:45 p.m. Sunday. They followed it from Goyeau Street to Strabane Avenue where they got the licence plate number. Officers activated their lights and siren, but the motorcycle failed to stop, driving onto the grass, along a sidewalk where pedestrians were walking, then back onto the roadway.

Police say the officers ended the pursuit in the interest of public safety.

About 10 minutes later, officers found the motorcycle, the male operator and a female passenger in a parking lot near Lassaline Avenue and East Gate Estates.

The male driver was found to be in possession of what officers believe to be marijuana and methamphetamine.

Charged with possession of the suspected drugs, dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and breach of recognizance is Jackie Todd Burkoski, 45. At the time of his arrest, Burkoski was free on bail and had outstanding arrest warrants for breaching a court order.

Burkoski once beat a man to death over a drug dispute. While serving his eight-year sentence for manslaughter, Burkoski was convicted of drug trafficking at the maximum security federal penitentiary where he was housed. In 2014, he pleaded guilty to possession of a handgun loaded with hollow-point bullets.