Northumberland OPP have charged one person following an investigation into a report of a stolen vehicle in Brighton.
Police received a report at around 1:15 a.m. on Thursday of a vehicle had been stolen from a location on Dean Drive.
It was further reported that multiple people had taken the vehicle and that the driver had been subjected to violence and could not be located.
The unoccupied vehicle was recovered a short time later at a commuter parking lot off Highway 401.
Due to concerns for the well-being of the driver, an investigation assisted by the Northumberland OPP Crime Unit was initiated, with a parallel missing person investigation also launched.
OPP say that residents in the Dean Drive area may have noticed an increased police presence as officers conducted inquiries throughout the day.
Just before 7:00 p.m. that same day, police located the unharmed person at a home on Main Street in Brighton.
As the investigation progressed, officers sought to clarify the circumstances surrounding the original report, resulting in the same individual being taken into custody.
29-year-old Jahlid Melo of Brampton has been charged with:
- Obstruct peace officer
The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Cobourg in April 2026.
This investigation is continuing.
OPP say that further updates will be provided when available.
