$50 gas-and-dash leads to arrest of man wanted by multiple Ontario police forces

What started as an investigation into a $50 gas theft ended with the arrest of a man wanted on multiple warrants in Ontario, police say.

The gas-and-dash happened on Sunday at a gas station on College Road West in Guelph when a man put $50 worth of fuel into a vehicle and left without paying, the Guelph Police Service says.

Police then received another report about the same suspect “acting erratically” while in a vehicle parked in a lot on Eramosa Road.

Investigators say the vehicle had previously been reported stolen.

Officers arrived at the parking lot and found the 30-year-old male suspect sitting inside the vehicle. He was then arrested, police say.

While in custody, police say the man appeared “to be having trouble controlling his body.” The man was “twitching heavily” and his eyes “shifting rapidly” – signs of drug use, investigators said.

An investigation led police to several small bags of what police believe to be drugs, and that the man was already wanted on separate warrants from both the Peel and Halton Regions.

Guelph police charged the 30-year-old man with multiple offences including theft under $5,000, operation while impaired, eight counts of operation of a conveyance while prohibited, 10 counts of breach probation, and two counts of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.

The man’s identity has not been released.

Anyone with information about this incident can contact the Guelph Police Service by calling 519-824-1212 or 519-829-4460. Anonymous tips may also be submitted to Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or by visiting www.ontariocrimestoppers.ca.

When you contact Crime Stoppers you stay anonymous, never have to testify, and could receive a $2,000 reward.