Officers arrest individual after multiple traffic complaints involving stolen vehicle

Just after 11:30 a.m. on August 17, 2026, a Greater Sudbury Police Service officer was conducting traffic control at the intersection of Notre Dame Avenue and Kathleen Street when a vehicle was observed travelling at a high rate of speed on the wrong side of the divided roadway. The officer broadcast a description of the vehicle over police radio.

Minutes later, community members began contacting the 9-1-1 Emergency Communications Centre (ECC) to report the same vehicle making multiple U-turns and cutting off other drivers in the downtown core. During this time, an individual contacted the 9-1-1 ECC to report that their vehicle had been stolen from outside a business on Notre Dame Avenue. The stolen vehicle matched the description of the vehicle involved in the traffic complaints.

Officers subsequently located the vehicle, unoccupied, at 720 Bruce Avenue. Through the investigation, officers were able to confirm that the individual seen exiting the vehicle was the same individual observed unlawfully taking the vehicle from the business on Notre Dame Avenue.

Just after 1:15 p.m., officers located and arrested the individual believed to be responsible. When asked to provide identification, the individual gave officers a false name. Officers were able to confirm the individual's identity through police databases. The investigation further revealed that the individual was a suspended driver and was bound by a probation order. A search incident to arrest resulted in officers locating a small quantity of suspected illicit drugs.

As a result of the investigation, 30-year-old Douglas Beaudoin has been charged with the following offences under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA), Criminal Code of Canada, and Highway Traffic Act (HTA):

• Possession of a Schedule I substance (two counts)
• Theft of a motor vehicle
• Possession of property obtained by crime (two counts)
• Dangerous operation (two counts)
• Obstruct peace officer
• Operation while prohibited
• Failure to comply with a probation order
• Drive motor vehicle, perform stunt
• Driving while under suspension

Douglas Beaudoin was held in police custody and is scheduled to appear in Bail Court today, August 18, 2026, to answer to the charges.

We would like to acknowledge and commend the efforts of our officers and 9-1-1 ECC communicators for their coordinated response and investigative efforts, which led to the swift location, identification, and apprehension of an individual who posed an elevated risk to public safety.