MARATHON, ON –On May 27, 2016, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) in the North West Region area received information regarding an officer safety bulletin. The information involved a person of interest from the Hamilton area who was possibly travelling West in a Ford Mustang.  

At approximately 9:30am a vehicle matching the description was observed travelling west on Highway 17 just east of Marathon. The officer proceeded west bound to check the vehicle and it immediately accelerated at a high rate of speed and the officer lost visual contact with the vehicle. At approximately 9:35am an officer observed a vehicle matching the description west bound on Highway 17 at the junction of Peninsula Road. A spike belt was deployed but the vehicle was able to avoid the spike belt and continue west bound. At 9:50 a vehicle matching the description was again observed traveling east bound on Highway 17 near Coldwell Road. A spike belt was again deployed with the vehicle stopping without incident.

The female driver as well as a male passenger were arrested and taken into custody. A prohibited weapon was also recovered in the incident.

The female driver, Halley MACPHEE, age 25 of Edmonton, AB. was charged with:

• Flight while Pursued by Peace Officer
• Dangerous Operation of Motor Vehicle
• Possession Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000.00
• Possession of a firearm, Prohibited or Restricted Weapon obtained by Crime

The male passenger, Marcelo CLAROS, age 26 of Hamilton, ON. was charged with:

• Possession of Firearm contrary to Prohibition Order
• Possession Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000.00
• Possession of a firearm, Prohibited or Restricted Weapon obtained by Crime

Both were held for Video remand court and remanded into custody. Both have been transferred to the Thunder Bay District Jail awaiting further court appearances regarding these charges.