Man arrested after police car hit, freeing two in custody

A 47-year-old man is facing charges after allegedly fleeing from police and ramming a van into a cruiser to free a stolen vehicle early Wednesday.

Hamilton police said a man wearing handcuffs and a woman were behind the wheel of the stolen black 2018 Acura TLX.

Police said they responded to the parking lot of 1165 Fennell Ave. E. just before 6 a.m. Wednesday after receiving a call about a “suspicious person.”

When they arrived, police found a man and a woman sleeping inside a stolen Acura.

They positioned their cruiser to block the vehicle from leaving before trying to arrest the people for possession of stolen property.

While the officers did that, the tires of a white cube van parked nearby started squealing.

The van reversed and rammed twice into the parked cruiser.

This caused one cruiser to hit another and sustain serious damage. It also shifted the cruiser, freeing the four-door Acura, and creating a distraction from the arrest. The man and woman managed to escape custody and flee in the stolen Acura. They were last seen travelling north on nearby High Street.

Police said the man was still handcuffed from behind.

He is described as an unshaven white man with a medium build and short light brown hair.

The woman is described as 30 years old and white with a medium build. She is between five-foot-six and five-foot-eight with shoulder-length brown hair parted in the middle. Police said she was wearing dark clothing.

Police said the licence plate of the Acura is CCZJ117.

The man driving the 2008 white Ford Econoline tried to escape but was arrested while running from the scene.

He was charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, failure to comply with probation, operation while prohibited, possession of stolen property over $5,000, possession of stolen property under $5,000, and possession of methamphetamine.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Mountain station patrol staff Sgt. at 905-546-3886.