Collision on Leitrim Rd: recovered stolen vehicles, and charges laid

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, December 20, 2023   3:15 pm

(Ottawa) — The Ottawa Police Service East Criminal Investigations Unit has charged three individuals following a single motor vehicle collision yesterday on Leitrim Road.

Patrol officers were in Riverside South yesterday, conducting proactive patrols due to recent and ongoing vehicle thefts. At approximately 3:20 am, a vehicle was seen idling near a Toyota Tacoma and Dodge Ram, both of which are known to be target vehicles for theft.

Officers attempted to pull over this suspect vehicle, however the suspect fled from police.

The vehicle was later involved in a single motor vehicle collision near Leitrim and Bowesville Roads.

Two occupants of the vehicle were arrested on scene. A third was later located nearby by our Canine Unit.

Brian ROWLEY, 45-years-old, of Wasaga Beach, was charged with:

• Conspiracy to commit an indicatable offence,
• Fail to comply with a release order (x 4),
• Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000 (x2), and
• Obstruct a peace officer.

Jamie Lee VERNER, 46-years-old, of Wasaga Beach, was charged with:

• Conspiracy to commit an indictable offence,
• Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000 (x 2), and
• Fail to comply with an undertaking (x 2).

Azubuike OKOYE, 28-years-old, of Peterborough, was charged with:

• Conspiracy to commit an indicatable offence,
• Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000 (x2),
• Assault police,
• Flight from police,
• Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, and
• Obstruct a peace officer. 

The investigation revealed that both the Toyota Tacoma and Dodge Ram had been recently reported stolen out of the Greater Toronto Area.

ROWLEY, VERNER, and OKOYE are scheduled to appear in court today.

We thank the public for their patience with the traffic disruptions yesterday. Due to the collision, a section of Leitrim Road was closed for several hours while the investigation continued.

 -30-

CONTACT:

Media Relations Section

Tel: 613-236-1222, ext. 5366