Chatham-Kent police and Crime Stoppers are appealing to the public for tips as they try to identify a suspect and a vehicle connected to a local gas theft and a two-vehicle crash.
Investigators said the alleged gas-and-dash took place first -- on Thursday, December 3 at around 7 a.m. at the Esso Circle K gas bar on Victoria Street in Thamesville.
Officers said a man allegedly pumped $84 worth of gas into his pick-up truck and then took off, heading west on Longwoods Road towards Chatham without paying for the fuel.
He was last seen wearing an orange hoodie under a light brown jacket along with some light brown pants.
Police believe the same vehicle intentionally rear-ended a second vehicle at a high rate of speed on Centre Side Road near Claymore Line at around 1:45 p.m. on Friday, December 4.
Officers said that crash caused the driver of the second vehicle -- with a small child inside -- to lose control before the vehicle ended up in a water-filled ditch. No injuries were reported as a result of the collision.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Constable Ken Lauzon at kenla@chatham-kent.ca or Constable Jason Hamm at jasonha@chatham-kent.ca
Anonymous callers may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) and may be eligible for a cash reward.
