Sarnia

Officer charged in chase of Sarnia bank robbery suspects

A Middlesex OPP officer is facing charges after his cruiser collided with a taxi cab in London while chasing suspects who had robbed the TD Bank in Sarnia.

The SIU and police investigate after an OPP cruiser collided with a cab on Southdale Road at Verulam Street, July 29, 2019. (Photo by Miranda Chant, Blackburn News.) The SIU and police investigate after an OPP cruiser collided with a cab on Southdale Road at Verulam Street, July 29, 2019. (Photo by Miranda Chant, Blackburn News.)

The crash happened at Southdale Road and Verulam Street on July 28, 2019, seriously injuring a 27-year-old woman and her nine-year-old daughter.

 

After a probe by Ontario's Special Investigations Unit, Constable Timothy Groves has been charged with one count of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, and two counts of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing bodily harm.

He will appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in London on June 2, 2020.

Since the matter is now before the courts, the SIU said it will make no further comment about the investigation.

Hassan Ali, 21, of the Etobicoke area, was sentenced to a total of four-and-a-half years in prison for his part in the robbery.

His co-accused, 23-year-old Mushin Aden from the same area, has a three-day preliminary hearing set to begin May 12 at the Sarnia courthouse.

The two men are charged with robbery using a firearm, disguise with intent, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, flight from police, and possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000.

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