A late-night attempt to evade a police sobriety checkpoint in Oshawa spiraled into a dangerous vehicle pursuit and a foot chase that ultimately required a police drone and canine unit to resolve, according to Durham Regional Police.
Chaos Erupts at Stevenson Road Checkpoint
The incident began around 11 p.m. on Monday, January 12, 2026, in the area of Stevenson Road and Gibb Street. Officers were conducting a RIDE (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) initiative when they directed a driver to pull over after observing signs of potential impairment.
Instead of complying, the driver allegedly accelerated away from the checkpoint at a high rate of speed. Police say the fleeing vehicle struck another motorist a short distance away but did not stop.
K9 and Drone Team Up for Arrest
As officers moved to contain the suspect vehicle, the situation escalated. The driver is accused of intentionally colliding with two marked police cruisers before continuing to evade capture. After several more blocks of what police describe as dangerous driving, the vehicle was abandoned, and the driver and a passenger fled on foot into a residential neighborhood.
This is where Durham police's technology and specialized units took over. Officers, assisted by the K9 Unit and the Remote Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) – a police drone – tracked the suspects. The aerial asset helped locate the two men hiding in a residential backyard a short distance from their abandoned car, where they were taken into custody without further incident.
Charges Laid Following Dramatic Arrest
Police have identified and charged two Oshawa residents in connection with the event.
Je’von Hamblett-Oxley, 29, faces a lengthy list of charges including dangerous operation of a conveyance, failure to stop for police, failure to remain at an accident, possession of a Schedule I substance (oxycodone), and having care or control of a vehicle with cannabis readily available.
Lincoln Richards, 32, was charged with possession of a Schedule I substance and care or control of a vehicle with cannabis readily available.
Following their arrest, Hamblett-Oxley was held for a bail hearing, while Richards was released on an undertaking with conditions.
Durham Regional Police are continuing their investigation and ask anyone with information, including potential video footage from the area, to contact them at 1-888-579-1520, extension 1701, or to provide an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
