Barrie Police have a suspect in custody after they say he tried to steal three cars.
On Saturday, just after 6:30 p.m., police responded to the area of Mapleview Drive East between the Highway 400 exit and Park Place Boulevard for a disturbance.
There’d been a minor motor vehicle collision and as the two drivers were attempting to exchange information, an unknown man approached one of the involved drivers and offered to buy his car.
The bizarre behavior of this individual continued as he jumped into the driver’s seat of the vehicle owner he approached.
The owner was able to physically remove the male and the ensuing altercation resulted in one car being damaged and two additional attempts made by the male to steal other occupied cars located in nearby parking lots.
A Barrie Police officer located the suspect as he attempted to run away and during the arrest, the officer was assaulted. Although treated for minor injuries at a local hospital, the officer was released and continued to assist with this ongoing investigation.
The accused, a 36-year-old male from Barrie has been charged with three counts of Robbery, Mischief, Assault Police, and Breach of Probation and was remanded into custody.
He is scheduled to appear today, by video, for a bail hearing.