Stolen car speeds through schoolyard, driver charged

A London man was charged after a stolen vehicle crashed in a London neighbourhood. April 6, 2025. (Source: Shannon O’Connor)

A London man has been charged after a vehicle found to be stolen, ended up on its side in a residential neighbourhood.

Around 5 p.m. on Sunday, police got multiple calls about a car driving erratically in the area of Chippewa Drive and Oakville Avenue.

According to police, the suspect vehicle reportedly hit a tree in the 1000-block of Chippewa Drive before driving through a school yard — there were children playing at a nearby playground at the time of the reported incident.

Police said the vehicle continued to drive westbound on Chippewa Drive, where it struck a parked vehicle, drove over the sidewalk and struck a fire hydrant. The vehicle came to rest on its side, and a man fled the car on foot.

A 45 year old from London has been charged.

• Operation while prohibited
• Dangerous operation of a conveyance
• Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000
• Fail to stop at scene of accident
• Possession of a Schedule I substance