A Barrie man is facing numerous charges after police say he assaulted an Uber driver and tried to steal three vehicles Tuesday in Bradford West Gwillimbury.
At about 9:30 p.m., South Simcoe police were called to a possible robbery in progress near County Road 88 and Highway 400. An Uber driver said he had been assaulted by a passenger, who tried to take his vehicle. The victim managed to stop the vehicle during the assault. He ran from the scene with his keys and called police, according to a news release.
Police said the suspect tried to steal two other vehicles “within minutes” of the first incident. The victims were passing motorists who stopped to help the man, who they thought was a stranded driver. They also managed to flee to safety.
When police arrived, the suspect was found at the scene and arrested.
No one was seriously injured.
The Barrie man, 29, has been charged with 11 criminal offences, including assault, robbery, motor vehicle theft, forcible confinement, possession of property obtained by crime and possession of suspected cocaine. He was held for a bail hearing.
