A 30-year-old Sarnia man is facing charges, including assault, mischief and flight from police, in a case of intimate partner violence (IPV).
At around 10 p.m. Saturday, police were called to a residence near Exmouth Street and Indian Road, where a man and a woman were arguing in the parking lot.
Police said the man was inside a small SUV. It's alleged he reversed from the parking spot, drove toward an officer and fled.
A second nearby officer attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver took off at a high rate of speed.
Police said the female victim had fresh blood on her face and mouth, and the accused reportedly smashed her cell phone on the ground before officers arrived. She refused medical treatment.
About an hour later, the SUV was spotted northbound on Christina Street and then turned east onto Exmouth Street. Officers tried to box the vehicle in, but the driver sideswiped a cruiser and the pursuit was discontinued for public safety reasons.
At around midnight, police located the vehicle in the same parking lot where the original incident occurred. Officers blocked the exit, as the driver circled the lot until parking the vehicle and trying to flee into a building.
He was eventually arrested and, despite allegedly showing signs of impairment, refused to submit to a breath test.
The accused was released by the court with conditions, following a bail hearing.
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Sarnia police said the following help is available for victims of intimate partner violence:
EMERGENCIES, call 9-1-1
Non-emergency, contact the Sarnia Police Service at 519-344-8861
Women’s Interval Home - 519-336-5200 or 1-800-265-1412
The Centre Sarnia-Lambton - 519-337-3154 or 1-888-231-0536
24/7 Crisis Line - 519-337-3320
Victim Services - 519-344-8861, Ext. 5238
Réseau Femmes - 1-888-946-3029
