NEWS RELEASE
SOUTH SIMCOE POLICE SERVICE
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An 18-year-old Innisfil man is facing numerous charges following a police pursuit involving an ATV.
On Thursday, July 1, 2021, at approximately 5:30 p.m., South Simcoe Police Service officers responded to an ongoing ATV complaint at the 7th Line and Webster Boulevard in Innisfil. Police receive ongoing reports of youths and adults trespassing on the private property, causing damage to the property and creating unnecessary noise.
Officers on two SSPS ATVs arrived on scene and observed three ATVs and one dirt bike on a trail approaching police. Two of the ATVs and the dirt bike stopped for officers but one of the ATVs accelerated from the scene at a high rate of speed. The suspect ATV exited the private property and continued at high speed westbound on Jans Boulevard. One of the officers pursued the suspect ATV but the pursuit was terminated due to public safety as by this time, the suspect ATV was at a busy intersection and there were several people walking on sidewalks. A suspect was subsequently identified and located.
As a result of the investigation, 18-year-old Layshawn Francis of Innisfil was charged with the following:
- Dangerous operation
- Flight from police
- Stunt driving
- Speeding 105 km/h in posted 50 zone
- Operate motor vehicle no insurance
- G1 licence holder - unaccompanied by qualified driver
- Drive motor vehicle - no plates
- Enter premises when entry prohibited
The accused's licence was suspended for seven days and under new stunt driving laws, the ATV was impounded for 14 days.
The investigation into this incident is ongoing and provincial offence notices are pending against the other riders.
Our "Know Where You Can Go" campaign urges off-road vehicle riders to respect private property, obey the rules of the road and ride safely. If you don't have permission to be on someone's land, you are trespassing. Police will be conducting enforcement to ensure riders obey the rules and respect property owners’ right to peace, quiet and privacy.
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