Two people face numerous charges after the recovery of a stolen vehicle and a search near Perth.
The incident began on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, just before 5:00 p.m. when officers with the Leeds County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) detected a stolen vehicle on Highway 15 in Rideau Lakes. The officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but it fled at high speed.
The vehicle moved onto backroads to evade additional officers who converged on the area. It was later located in a parking lot in Perth, but it fled when an officer approached. Spike belts were unsuccessfully utilized on Highway 7 and the vehicle sped away.
The SUV was later found on an unplowed trail, east of Perth, where it had gotten stuck. At the same time, two suspicious people were reported by residents of the area. A search by Lanark County OPP officers, the Emergency Response Team and the Canine Unit was unable to locate the pair.
On Wednesday, March 12, 2025, additional reports of suspicious people were received and officers located and arrested two individuals on Miller Drive near Highway 7.
Clayton Hartsell, age 43 of Woodstock, is charged with:
- Obstruct a peace officer
- Flight from a peace officer
- Common nuisance – endanger life
- Dangerous operation of a vehicle
- Operation of a vehicle while prohibited under the Criminal Code
- Driving while under suspension – two counts
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000
Caitlin Meyer, age 41 of Woodstock, is charged with:
- Obstruct a peace officer
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000
- Mischief – interfere with lawful use of property over $5000
Both accused were held in custody and are scheduled to appear for bail hearings Thursday.