Driving charges filed in separate incidents

SYDNEY — A Long Island man has been charged and police are looking to arrest a Florence man in connection with two separate weekend accidents.

A 21-year-old man from Long Island is now to appear in provincial court Jan. 10 after being charged with evading police, resisting arrest and dangerous driving. He was also issued summary offence tickets for driving without a licence, registration and insurance.

The accused first came to the attention of Cape Breton Regional Police shortly after 9 p.m. on Nov. 26 when officers saw a vehicle pull away from traffic lights at Kings Road and Kenwood Drive in Sydney at a high rate of speed.

Despite police activating their emergency lights, the driver fled at a high rate of speed and police did not pursue.

The vehicle was spotted a short time later near Kingswood Drive after it had struck a power pole.

The driver ran from the vehicle and officers were able to keep pace and make the arrest.

At approximately 1 a.m. on Nov. 27, patrol officers noted a vehicle on Bentick Street, Sydney which had been previously stopped for not having the required paperwork.

After confirming the licence plate was not registered to the vehicle, officers pursued the vehicle which stopped.

However, in asking for paperwork and that the vehicle be turned off, the driver sped from the scene.

Officers followed but soon halted as the suspect vehicle was travelling at a high rate of speed.

The vehicle was again spotted on Terrace Street in the Ashby neighbourhood where police found it had been involved in a crash with another vehicle and that the driver and two passengers had fled the scene.

Officers did catch the two passengers and after further investigation, are now seeking to arrest a 24-year-old man from Florence who is facing charges of evading police, dangerous driving, and leaving the scene of an accident.

No injuries were reported as a result of the collision.