Windsor police are hoping the public can help identify a man who is believed to be using a credit card stolen from a vehicle.

The original theft was reported to police on Oct. 22 in the 3100 block of Meadowbrook Lane.

A security camera image showing a suspect in a Windsor credit card theft case.

A car had been broken into. The owner told police that his wallet was in the vehicle at the time, and many of the wallet’s contents were now missing. He’d also learned that his credit card had been used without his authorization.

Police have obtained a security camera image from a gas station showing an individual using the credit card.

Anyone who can identify the man in the image is encouraged to call investigators at 519-255-6700 ext. 4350.

Anonymous tips can be submitted via Crime Stoppers at 519-258-8477 or www.catchcrooks.com.

Windsor police have made arrests and laid charges in connection with a stabbing incident in the city’s core earlier this week — and the woman who was initially thought to be the victim is among the accused.

Police began investigating during the early morning hours of Monday when a 34-year-old woman required emergency treatment and surgery for a stab wound just below her rib cage.

Officers had been called around 3:15 a.m. to the public housing area in the 300 block of Glengarry Avenue.

An investigation has since determined that the woman and her alleged assailant know each other – and they were involved in an earlier altercation.

The woman’s attacker — a 57-year-old male — has been arrested and charged with aggravated assault.

Meanwhile, the 34-year-old female has been charged with assault with a weapon and breach of probation.

She remained in hospital at press time. Police said her injuries are not considered life threatening.

A 24-year-old male who witnessed the incident has also been charged with breach of probation.

A 25-year-old Windsor man has surrendered to police in connection with the standoff that shut down a Walkerville neighbourhood for hours on Wednesday.

Windsor police officers — including members of the tactical team — surrounded an apartment building at 1094 Lincoln Rd. around 2:30 p.m. in response to reports of a loud argument between two males.

According to police, amid the yelling and screaming between the two, someone saw one of the males point a pellet gun at the other, then go into the building.

Windsor police block the intersection of Lincoln Road and Ontario Street on Nov. 12, 2014. (Trevor Wilhelm / The Windsor Star)

Two intersections were closed while officers created a perimeter around the address. Entreaties were made for the man to come out.

After about three hours of watching and waiting, it was discovered that the suspect had already left the building.

A search of the man’s apartment found a black Airsoft pellet gun — made to look like a Smith & Wesson semi-automatic handgun.

The male resident was contacted. He turned himself in at the Windsor police downtown headquarters on Thursday morning.

He’s been charged with possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and breach of probation.

dchen@windsorstar.com

A 31-year-old woman who was apparently stabbed early Friday won’t tell Windsor police how she received her injuries.

Responding to a 911 call around 2:10 a.m., officers found the woman at the corner of Wyandotte Street West and Church Street, sitting on the sidewalk.

She was bleeding from a puncture wound to the chest.

Police said the woman has not been co-operative with the investigation and has provided no details on what happened or where it took place.

She was taken to hospital for treatment. Her injuries are considered non-life threatening.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to call investigators at 519-255-6700 ext. 4305.

Anonymous tips can be submitted via Crime Stoppers at 519-258-8477 or www.catchcrooks.com.

A teenage girl’s tale of almost being abducted by a man in a truck earlier this week was entirely fabricated, say Windsor police investigators.

Staff Sgt. Mark Denonville, head of the major crimes branch, said the 17-year-old “victim” broke down and admitted the hoax on Friday in her third interview with detectives.

“It was becoming apparent that the female’s story could not be corroborated,” Denonville said.

The story — which supposedly took place on Wednesday night at Wyandotte Street East and Ford Boulevard — caused fear throughout the community and was the subject of major media attention.

Denonville said the 17-year-old female revealed that she made it up because she needed an excuse for being late returning from a date.

The teenager is a single mother. She’d left her child with a relative on Wednesday so that she could meet with someone she met online.

She did not return to pick up her child at the time that she said she would. The relative grew upset. The teen came up with the abduction story as a cover.

Denonville said the girl is very regretful for misusing police resources and causing such a stir in the community.

Police were considering a charge of public mischief against her, but decided against it due to her extreme remorse.

More to come.

dchen@windsorstar.com

Windsor police are looking for two home invaders who suddenly appeared in a victim’s home Friday afternoon and stole a fanny pack.

Police said a resident in the 800 block of Elsmere Avenue was going out around 3:45 p.m. when the two men confronted him.

One of the robbers grabbed a fanny pack from the victim then ran off with his partner in crime. Police said the pair got away with some cash and prescription medication. The victim wasn’t hurt.

Police said the robbers were both white with large builds and 25 to 35 years old. One of them was wearing a black jacket with a hood. The other was sporting a black jacket and tuque.

Anyone with any information can call the Windsor police investigations branch at 519-255-6700 ext. 4305.

Police conducting a joint forces probe raided two homes last week, seizing cash and drugs and arresting five people.

Windsor and Amherstburg police ran the investigation along with the Provincial Anti-Violence Intervention Strategy.

Police executed search warrants Nov. 10 at homes in Amherstburg and Windsor. They found $2,500 in cash and drugs including Percocet, marijuana, cocaine and oxycodone. Police said there was a “substantial quantity” of drugs but didn’t give any more detail about exactly how much.

Darryl Byrd, 23, of Windsor, is charged with possession of marijuana, possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking, possession of Percocet for the purpose of trafficking and possession of oxycodone for the purpose of trafficking.

Police also charged two other men and two women – some are from Amherstburg, some are from Windsor – with several drug trafficking and possession charges. Police didn’t reveal their names.

Windsor’s police chief said Monday he was dedicating extra manpower to end a recent string of arsons, just as his investigators announced they have yet another one on their hands.

“We will allocate whatever resources are necessary for any investigation, and this is one of those times where we’ve reallocated,” said Chief Al Frederick. “There is a special emphasis on trying to identify this person or persons.”

The most recent arson happened late Sunday. Windsor police and firefighters responded around 11:30 p.m. to a house fire in the 3400 block of Askin Avenue. Investigators said Monday they had determined the fire was intentionally set.

An hour so before that announcement, Frederick told reporters he had allocated extra resources to solve a dozen recent arsons.

“We’ve put together a bit of a target team to deal with those,” said Frederick. “I can advise, however, overall for 2014 our arsons are down considerably from last year. But there has been a spike and we’re aware of that and we’re working with the fire marshal’s office to identify the suspects in those arsons and take appropriate action.”

On Sept. 1, an arsonist set fire to a house at 9735 Esplanade Drive, causing $215,000 damage. On Sept. 26, someone set a fire at Scissors Inc. hair salon at 514 Erie St. E.

Someone also set a gazebo on fire in the 400 block of Langlois Avenue on Oct. 19.

Then on Oct. 24, starting at 11:20 p.m., there were three “nuisance” fires within a 90-minute span. Someone set mattresses on fire in the 800 and 1000 blocks of Gladstone Avenue and a chair in the 900 block of Marion Avenue.

That same day, someone also set a mattress on fire in the 1200 block of Wyandotte Street East.

On Oct. 28, someone torched a vacant house at 446 Indian Road. The abandoned house is one of many properties the Ambassador Bridge Company owns in the west end. Police said someone broke into the house through a back door and set a fire on the third floor.

Someone set two garages on fire on Oct. 31. The first of those started around 3:15 a.m. in the 600 block of Parent Avenue. The arsonist set some garbage on fire in the middle of a detached garage.

About two hours later, there was another garage fire in the 800 block of Louis Avenue. Police said the garage and its contents, including a vehicle, were destroyed.

On Nov. 4, a fire that started off in the alley tore through a vacant house in the 1600 block of Hall Avenue, causing $80,000 in damage. Police said it was also arson.

Four days later, an arsonist torched Alibi’s bar at 943 Ottawa St., causing $400,000 in damage.

Frederick said investigators believe at least some of the fires are related. He said police could use the public’s help tracking down whoever is responsible.

“Whether it’s a group of people, one or two, we really don’t know at this point,” said Frederick. “So this is one of those cases where we’re asking for the community’s help in identifying people even engaging in conversation about those types of things. Give us any information you may have and we’re going to follow up. We want to get to the bottom of this.”

Anyone with information can call Windsor police at 519-255-6700 ext. 4330 or Crime Stoppers at 519-258-8477 (TIPS). You can also leave tips online at www.catchcrooks.com or on the Windsor police Facebook page.

Five local residents face a raft of charges involving methamphetamine and firearms after a joint-forces takedown in Windsor last week.

Three of the suspects were taken into custody on Nov. 13 when members of the Provincial Anti-Violence Intervention Strategy (PAVIS) and the Windsor police tactical team stopped a vehicle in the 2500 block of McDougall Avenue.

The vehicles occupants — three males ranging in age from 39 to 47 — were arrested.

Then, on Nov. 14, police raided an address in the 600 block of Capitol Street. Two more people — a 37-year-old male and a 37-year-old female – were arrested.

In total, officers seized 34.78 grams of methamphetamine. Police estimate the street value of the drugs at $6,956 — about $200 per gram.

A search of the residence also uncovered a loaded vintage five-shot pocket revolver made by the U.S. Revolver Company; a Marlin Goose bolt-action 12-gauge shotgun (with trigger lock); and 18 rounds of .32-calibre pistol ammunition.

Rodney Brown, 47, faces one count of possessing methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking and 13 charges relating to firearms.

Robert Ladoucer, 47, faces one count of possessing methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking, one count of driving while disqualified, and four charges relating to firearms.

Gary Demelo, 39, faces one count of possessing methamphetamine.

Susan Sladic, 37, faces four charges relating to firearms.

Shawn Bradt, 37, faces one count of possessing methamphetamine and one count of failing to comply with a probation order.

PAVIS is a provincially-funded initiative meant to combat crimes related to guns and gangs.

Among the 17 law enforcement agencies involved in PAVIS are the Amherstburg, LaSalle, and Windsor police services.

dchen@windsorstar.com

A 53-year-old Windsor man previously convicted of child pornography possession is facing new child pornography and harassment accusations after he allegedly followed and tried to chat with a 12-year-old girl.

Perry Maeckeler is now charged with two counts of criminal harassment, one count of accessing child pornography, and one count of possessing child pornography.

He was still in custody at press time.

On the evening of Nov. 3, Windsor police responded to a complaint from the parent of a 12-year-old girl in the city’s east end.

The parent said a suspicious person had been watching and following the girl in the 5000 block of Raymond Avenue.

Officers spoke with the child and her mother. The alleged victim said she was walking alone earlier that day when she was approached by a man in a vehicle.

She recognized the man.

“He was from a neighbourhood she used to live in,” said Windsor police spokesman Const. Andrew Drouillard. “He was actively watching her. He tried to speak to her, and she was just uncomfortable with that.”

Members of the major crimes branch investigated further and located the suspect. He was arrested on Nov. 14 and charged with one count of criminal harassment.

A cellphone and a tablet were seized from the man’s vehicle. Investigators obtained a warrant to search the contents of the electronic devices.

The examination did not turn up any photos or videos of the alleged victim. However, officers discovered an image of a second female who the suspect also appeared to have been watching on Nov. 3.

The second alleged victim was identified as a 15-year-old girl in the neighbourhood. A second count of criminal harassment was laid against the suspect.

Drouillard said that when officers spoke with the teenage girl, she told them about an incident where she thought she had been surreptitiously photographed — but she didn’t report it to police because she didn’t want to bother anyone with her suspicions.

“It’s another reminder for people,” Drouillard said. “It’s always worth contacting us. It could be nothing — but sometimes it’s something.”

Drouillard said that over the course of searching the devices, officers found additional evidence that warranted new charges relating to child pornography.

Maeckeler previously pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography in September 2009.

He was one of 31 people across Ontario arrested in a multi-jurisdiction child pornography sting that year.

According to a Crown prosecutor, Maeckeler was involved in sharing explicit images of children.

He had contacted an online user — who was in reality an undercover police officer based in New Jersey — and shared a folder containing seven images of children under the age of 10 with exposed genitals.

Following his arrest in 2009, Maeckeler submitted to a sexual assessment program that found he was not at risk of physically abusing children.

He was sentenced to 90 days of house arrest.

“I’m not that bad of a guy,” Maeckeler said at the time. “I just made a big mistake and I’m very sorry.”

Maeckeler had no criminal record until 2009. He was described in court as a laid-off tool and die worker who was married with one son.

Anyone with further information about the accused and these allegations is encouraged to contact investigators at 519-255-6700 ext. 4830.

Anonymous tips can be submitted via Crime Stoppers at 519-258-8477 or www.catchcrooks.com.

dchen@windsorstar.com

Two different robbery incidents in Windsor this week both involved culprits who brandished small knives and wore grey scarves, say police.

The most recent incident happened just before 9:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Petro Canada gas station at 1110 Tecumseh Rd. East.

The station’s attendant told police that two people with covered faces — a male and a female — entered the store and approached the counter.

The female went in front of the counter while the male walked around it and confronted the employee.

The male was holding a knife and demanding money.

The pair left with a small quantity of cash.

The robber with the knife is described as a white male about five feet and seven inches tall. At the time of the crime, he was wearing a black hooded jacket, black pants, boots, and a grey scarf over his face.

The female stood about five feet and two inches in height, and was wearing a dark blue hooded coat, grey track pants and white shoes.

The previous night – around 7:15 p.m. Monday — there was a robbery at the Mac’s convenience store at 3845 Dougall Ave.

The store’s employee told police that a male came in with his face hidden by a grey scarf and a small knife in his hand.

The man approached the counter and demanded money. After taking a small quantity of cash, he quickly fled.

He’s described as a white male about five feet and six inches tall, perhaps in his 30s. At the time of the crime, he was wearing a tan jacket with a hood, grey pants, brown hiking boots, a baseball cap and a grey scarf.

Anyone with information about either of these incidents is encouraged to contact investigators at 519-255-6700 ext. 4305.

Anonymous tips can be submitted via Crime Stoppers at 519-258-8477 or www.catchcrooks.com.

Below: Security video images of the Nov. 17 incident at 3845 Dougall Ave.

dchen@windsorstar.com

Windsor police are trying to find a woman who bolted out of the Devonshire Mall wearing a diamond ring she didn’t pay for.

The crime happened Wednesday around 12:15 p.m. A young blonde female and a black male visited the Peoples Jewellers store inside the mall at 3100 Howard Ave.

According to store staff, the pair split up inside the store, with the female approaching a counter and asking to see a selection of diamond rings.

The female was allowed to try on a ring. When she was asked to take it off and give it back, she refused and ran out of the store.

A sales associate then confronted the male — who also fled the store.

A security camera image of a female who stole a diamond ring from the Peoples store in the Devonshire Mall on Nov. 19, 2014.

A security camera in the store captured an image of the female in mid-run.

She’s described as a petite white female, perhaps 18 to 20 years old — about 5’1″ in height with a slender build.

She has shoulder-length blonde hair. At the time of the crime, she was wearing a dark winter coat.

It’s not clear if the male was directly involved in the theft. He’s described as a light-skinned black male, perhaps 20 years old, about 5’11″ tall with a slim build.

He was wearing a dark grey winter coat and a black hat.

Police aren’t disclosing the value of the stolen ring, but the potential charge against the culprit is theft under $5,000.

Asked to comment on the unsophisticated nature of the crime, Windsor police spokesman Const. Andrew Drouillard replied: “It’s not a common occurrence.”

Anyone with information about this incident and the individuals involved is encouraged to contact police at 519-255-6700 ext. 4305.

Anonymous tips can be submitted via Crime Stoppers at 519-258-8477 or www.catchcrooks.com.

There’s a good chance this crook will have strong jaw muscles and really fresh breath.

A Windsor thief could be in a sticky situation after getting caught on surveillance video during a two-week crime spree, stealing $1,500 worth of chewing gum.

“It’s definitely odd to see this amount of this particular product to be targeted in numerous thefts,” said Const. Andrew Drouillard with Windsor police. “It’s definitely odd for this amount of gum to be stolen by one suspect.”

Investigators have no idea why he’s stealing the gum. He doesn’t seem to prefer a particular brand. He has stolen boxes of Trident, Stride and Wrigley’s brand gums, to name few.

Police first received a report Nov. 10 about a theft at a 7-Eleven convenience store. An employee noticed gum was missing while scanning the shelves for a weekly order.

A review of surveillance video quickly revealed where it went. Police said a man stole 11 boxes of gum, worth $300, from a 7-Eleven store on Nov. 8. Police started investigating.

“In the meantime, over a week period, he came in a couple more times while we were investigating it,” said Drouillard.

Police have since learned that the shoplifter is responsible for a string of at least seven thefts from three 7-Eleven stores over a two-week stretch. He grabbed numerous boxes of gum each time.

“He would crouch down and load his backpack with boxes of gum,” said Drouillard.

Police said the thief is a white man, possibly in his early 20s.

Large gum thefts aren’t as rare as you might think. Chew on this: In April 2013, a Brantford man stole $5,000 worth of gum. That same year, a man was convicted of stealing thousands of dollars worth of gum from stores in Belgium.

In Britain, there have been reports of Eastern European gangs stealing gum in bulk and sending it back home to be used as currency.

In 2007, a woman stole $5,000 worth of gum from several stores in the Toronto area.

Anyone with information about the Windsor gum thefts can call police at 519-255-6700 ext. 4305 or Crime Stoppers at 519-258-TIPS. You can also leave tips online at www.catchcrooks.com or on the Windsor police Facebook page.

A Windsor man who allegedly tried to steal fragrances from a Shoppers Drug Mart was thwarted by a loss prevention officer — and a passing vehicle that accidentally struck the suspect as he ran.

Police said the incident happened Thursday around 6 p.m. in front of the Shoppers Drug Mart by the Roundhouse Center at 3175 Howard Ave.

A loss prevention officer in the store noticed the male suspect leave without paying for some relatively high-priced fragrances.

When the suspect was outside, the loss prevention officer confronted him and attempted to place him under citizen’s arrest.

The suspect broke free and ran across the store’s parking lot — and continued running into traffic on Howard Avenue.

A passing vehicle struck the fleeing man.

The loss prevention officer was then able to grab the suspect again and wait for police to arrive.

Attending police officers were satisfied that there were grounds to arrest the suspect.

The alleged thief was taken to hospital for treatment of minor injuries. The vehicle that struck him had minor damage.

Angus LeBlanc, 43, of Windsor, faces one count of theft under $5,000 and one count of escaping lawful custody.

Chatham-Kent police are thanking the public for assisting them in locating an assault suspect.

Police said the suspect attended an apartment complex shortly before midnight on Nov. 19. He gained entry through a woman he had contacted earlier over the phone.

The man entered the apartment for a short amount of time during which the assault occurred, police said.

The woman did not sustain any injuries as a result of the assault.

The Chatham-Kent Police Service released the pictures Tuesday morning in hopes that a member of the public may recognize him.

The was identified and arrested later in the day.

A surveillance photo of a suspect wanted in connection with an assault in Chatham on Nov. 19, 2014. (HANDOUT/The Windsor Star)

A surveillance photo of a suspect wanted in connection with an assault in Chatham on Nov. 19, 2014. (HANDOUT/The Windsor Star)

Two men are facing charges after police found crack, meth, opioids, and a nine-millimetre handgun in a vehicle stop in downtown Windsor.

As part of an investigation by members of the joint-forces Provincial Anti-Violence Intervention Strategy, Windsor police tactical officers tracked down a vehicle in the area of Church Street and University Avenue West around 7:15 p.m. on Nov. 21.

The two males were arrested as they were getting out of the vehicle.

A search of the suspects revealed that one had a Ruger P95 semi-automatic pistol tucked in the waistband of his pants.

Also found on the two males were a total of 3.89 grams of crack cocaine, 3.5 grams of powder cocaine, 8.19 grams of methamphetamine, and four fentanyl patches.

Police estimate the combined street value of the drugs at $2,495.

Jason Sulatycki, 36, of Windsor, has been charged with possession of a restricted firearm without having a license, possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking, possession of fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking, and possession of a restricted weapon while prohibited from doing so.

Dylan Lafreniere, 22, has been charged with one count of possession of cocaine.

Statistics Canada reported Monday that the number of homicides in the country fell again last year, making it the lowest rate since 1966.

Canadian police services reported handling 505 homicides in 2013, compared to 543 the year before. That means Canada had a rate of 1.44 homicides per 100,000 population in 2013.

The Windsor census metropolitan area was near the low end of the scale with three homicides in 2012 and two in 2013. Its 2012 homicide rate was 0.91 per 100,000 people. The rate in 2013 was 0.61 per 100,000 people.

Toronto had the most homicides with 81 killings in 2012 and 79 last year. But other areas with fewer homicides had higher rates per 100,000 people because of their smaller populations.

Guelph and Moncton were the lowest over 2012 and 2013 with zero homicides in both years.

Canada homicide rate.

The manager of Windsor’s Heavenly Rest Cemetery remains perplexed and dismayed about who took almost 300 Canadian flags from the graves of veterans on Remembrance Day.

“It’s just a tragedy this has occurred,” said John St. Aubin, manager of the cemetery at 5005 Howard Ave. “This is totally impossible. We don’t know who it was.”

St. Aubin — who counts fallen veterans among his relatives — said the flags are a long-standing tradition at the cemetery. He’s certain no member of his staff had any part in the flags’ disappearance.

John St. Aubin, general manager of the Heavenly Rest Family of Catholic Cemeteries. (Nick Brancaccio / The Windsor Star)

“We are extremely upset,” St. Aubin said. “If it’s simple vandalism, (the perpetrators) are not thinking very clearly. Were it not for the sacrifices of the people in that section (of the cemetery), they would not be here today with the freedoms they enjoy.”

Local veteran Mike Lepine has been looking for answers about what became of the 286 Canadian flags and 24 wooden crosses that he planted throughout the veterans’ section earlier this month.

Every single one of the items — which were supplied by the Windsor Veterans Memorial Services Committee — went missing sometime during the afternoon of Nov. 11.

Although the cemetery has video surveillance, St. Aubin said that not every part of the 86-acre site is covered — and the veterans’ section is one of those beyond the cameras.

“The flags could have been put in (a vehicle’s) trunk, and driven through the security cameras at the entrance,” St. Aubin said. “They’re not going to be walking out with the flags, I can guarantee you that.”

It’s not the first time the Heavenly Rest Family of Catholic Cemeteries has been struck by thoughtless vandals.

In early June, culprits tore out bronze fixtures and defaced 50 crypts in the mausoleum at St. Alphonsus Cemetery between Ottawa and Shepherd Street East.

Six months later, that case also remains unsolved, despite police investigation.

St. Aubin described the incident — and others like it — as “hideous.”

“We just don’t understand it,” he said.

Canadian flags on soldiers’ graves at Heavenly Rest Cemetery in Windsor are shown in this November 2011 file photo. (Tyler Brownbridge / The Windsor Star)

dchen@windsorstar.com

A patriarch of  Blak’s Bakery remains in critical condition after a violent incident at the popular family-run shop over the weekend.

Police said a family member discovered the victim inside the store at 1022 Langlois Ave. unconscious and severely injured around 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29.

The Blak family have confirmed the identity of the victim as 89-year-old Peter Blak — father of shop owners and operators Valarie Blak-Gill and Tony Blak.

According to Tony, his father was in the business office, saying his daily prayers, when he was attacked from behind.

Peter Blak (R) is shown with his wife Elsie (L) in this 2008 file photo. (Nick Brancaccio / The Windsor Star)

Peter Blak was rushed to hospital. He underwent surgery on Sunday. As of Tuesday afternoon, police said he is still listed in critical condition.

Police have learned through an inventory of the bakery that certain items are missing. The major crimes branch is continuing to investigate.

Anyone with more information about this incident is encouraged to contact detectives at 519-255-6700 ext. 4830.

Anonymous tips can be submitted via Crime Stoppers at 519-258-8477 or catchcrooks.com.

Blak’s Bakery is located just south of Erie Street East.

Founded in 1918 and operated by several generations of the Blak family, the bakery is known as one of the city’s best providers of breads, the Polish pastry paczki, and a full range of desserts.

Peter Blak — the family patriarch — and his wife Elsie have been married for 65 years. They have five children, 12 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

Peter Blak (centre) is shown with his son Tony (L) and grandson Peter (R) in this May 2014 Facebook photo.

Boxes of paczkis ready for sale at Blak’s Bakery are shown in this February 2013 file photo. (Dax Melmer / The Windsor Star)

dchen@windsorstar.com

A 25-year-old Windsor man will spend New Year’s Eve in court facing impaired driving charges after provincial police caught him swerving on Highway 401.

Mark Plante was behind the wheel of a Mazda that was moving erratically in the eastbound lanes of the 401 in the Chatham-Kent area, near Bloomfield Road, during the early morning hours of Nov. 29.

OPP were contacted just after 4:30 a.m. Officers located and stopped the vehicle.

Police said that after the officers spoke with the driver, they determined that he’d been consuming alcohol. Tests confirmed that his blood alcohol was over the limit.

Plante is scheduled to appear in court in Chatham on Dec. 31 on charges of driving while impaired and driving with a blood alcohol reading of more than 80 milligrams.