Wanted man arrested in Burlington after police chase, attempted car-jackings

A 29-year-old man, wanted on several outstanding warrants, has been arrested in Burlington after a high-speed pursuit and at least three attempted car-jackings.

Just before midnight on Tuesday, police said an officer on patrol spotted a pickup truck at a Best Western on Queensway Drive, whose registered owner was the wanted man.

The driver of the pickup truck sped off and travelled along Queensway to Harvester Road, near the QEW.

Police pursued the pickup and even put down a spike belt on Harvester to try and slow down the vehicle, but the driver swerved around the spike belt.

Another officer then spotted the pickup at a Ford dealership on Walkers Line near Harvester. Police said the driver confronted a night cleaner at the dealership and attempted to rob the cleaner of their car keys to their vehicle.

The pickup driver then went the wrong way down the exit ramp to the QEW and scraped an oncoming car, which the suspect then tried to steal.

Unsuccessful, police said the driver then went to an Admiral Inn, confronted a hotel clerk and demanded his car keys. He managed to get the keys but police were able to box in the clerk’s car and prevent it from leaving.

The suspect then fled on foot to a ravine area near a Tim Hortons on Havester west of Walkers Line and tried to hide himself under some leaves. But he was found by a police dog.

Nathan Howes, from Brantford, is facing several charges, including robbery, dangerous operation, flight from police, and failure to comply with bail recognizance.

Police said he had been wanted on numerous offences, including assault with a weapon, uttering threats, and unauthorized use of a firearm.