GOULAIS RIVER – Police say a dog off leash and the canine's owner causing a disturbance at a beach north of the Sault eventually led to charges for a local man.
On Friday shortly after 5 p.m., the Sault Ste Marie Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to complaints of a possible intoxicated individual and their off-leash dog causing a disturbance at a beach on Harmony Beach Road in Goulais River.
OPP were advised that the dog's owner and dog had left the area in a white pickup truck.
Police later observed the southbound pickup on Highway 17 passing vehicles at a high rate of speed and driving dangerously, according to an OPP news release.
The driver attempted to evade police and a short time later officers located the pickup in a driveway at a residence in the 500 block of Moss Road in Sault Ste. Marie.
While police were speaking to the driver, the accused became confrontational with officers and a struggle ensued, police say.
Once the driver was arrested he was transported to Sault Ste. Marie OPP detachment for processing.
Nicholas Romano, 32, of Sault Ste Marie was charged with:
- Dangerous operation
- Assault a peace officer
- Fail to stop for police
The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Sault Ste. Marie on Sept. 23.
None of the allegations have been tested in court and Romano is considered innocent unless proven guilty.