Prohibited driver facing charges after vehicle stopped in Goderich

(GODERICH, ON) -  A 29-year-old Mississauga man is facing a number of charges after he was stopped by Huron County OPP during the early morning hours of Friday, Nov. 10.

At 1:18 a.m., police stopped a Chevrolet Equinox near the intersection of Britannia Road East and Huron Road in relation to a traffic complaint. Officers approached the side of the Equinox and made initial contact with the male driver. Upon asking him for his licence, the driver refused to provide his licence and further failed to identify himself. 

The unco-operative driver refused to lower his window for the officers. He also climbed into the back seat with another passenger in the vehicle. The driver and his passengers refused to co-operate with officers in their attempt to complete the traffic stop.

Ultimately, police had to force entry into the vehicle and the occupants were arrested. Two of the occupants were released unconditionally, but the male driver was charged and remains in police custody. Upon further investigation, police learned the man was driving while disqualified, and he had taken the motor vehicle without the owner's consent.

As a result, 29-year-old Todd McGOWAN of Mississauga has been charged with Driving While Disqualified, Take Motor Vehicle Without Consent, Driver Fail to Give Identification and Drive Motor Vehicle With Open Container of Liquor. He remained in custody with a video court appearance Nov. 14, at the Ontario Court of Justice - Goderich. 

*THESE CHARGES HAVE YET TO BE PROVEN IN COURT*