Charges have been laid after a vehicle hit a variety store and then a light pole in two separate collisions less than 20 minutes apart in northwest London.
A pickup truck was in a parking lot at Wharncliffe Road North and Oxford Street West around 3 a.m. Friday when it crashed into a variety store and then took off. A person who witnessed the incident called London police.
Officers tried to stop the truck in a nearby parking lot at Wharncliffe and Mt. Pleasant Avenue but the vehicle is said to have taken off from the area at a high rate of speed. Police caught up with the vehicle a short time later just north of Oxford where it had crashed for a second time, taking out a light standard.
The driver was arrested at the scene. A passenger who ran from the crash site was arrested nearby.
A search of the vehicle turned up stolen licence plates, drug paraphernalia, and small bags containing suspected cocaine.
A 35-year-old Chatham man is charged with impaired driving, dangerous operation of a vehicle, failure to stop for police, operating a vehicle while prohibited, failure to comply with police demands, possession of a Schedule I substance, and possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000.
A 33-year-old London man is charged with possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000, and possession of a Schedule I substance. He was also wanted on an outstanding warrant, police said.
Both men are scheduled to appear in London court on Friday.
