Perth man charged after fleeing police in pickup truck, OPP say

A Perth man is facing multiple charges after allegedly fleeing from police in a pickup truck Friday morning.

According to Lanark County OPP, an officer on patrol along Port Elmsley Road around 10:30 a.m. on Oct. 31 spotted a suspicious vehicle and attempted a traffic stop. Police say the pickup fled at high speed and was being driven erratically.

Police say that out of concern for public safety, the officer did not pursue the vehicle but alerted other officers in the area. The pickup was seen several more times before a spike belt was used to safely bring it to a stop.

The vehicle was later found abandoned, and with help from the OPP Canine Unit, police located the suspect hiding in a nearby field.

Ridge Michael, 35, of Perth, is charged with dangerous operation of a vehicle, flight from a peace officer, two counts of driving while under suspension, driving with liquor readily available, driving a vehicle without two licence plates, using a plate not authorized for a vehicle, and two counts of failing to comply with an undertaking. Charges have not been proven in court.

The suspect was held in custody and was scheduled to appear in court in Perth on Monday, Nov. 3.