A 14-year-old Guelph boy is facing serious driving charges after fleeing from an officer and tearing through a south-end neighbourhood at nearly double the speed limit on Wednesday afternoon, the Guelph Police Service reports.
It all started just after 2:30 p.m. on June 24, 2026, when an officer spotted a car with no licence plates near Clair Road East and Gordon Street. When the officer tried to pull the vehicle over, the driver hit the gas, ran a red light and blew through several stop signs while racing through a residential area at almost twice the legal limit.
The officer quickly called off the chase, following Ontario’s vehicle pursuit rules that require police to stop when the danger to the public is greater than the need to catch the driver. A short time later, the car was found abandoned. Through information from the vehicle’s owner, police identified the driver.
On June 25, the teen went to the police station with his parents and was arrested. He’s now charged with flight from police, dangerous driving, taking a vehicle without consent, and driving without a licence. Under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, his case will focus on rehabilitation, but the charges are still treated as serious criminal offences.
The boy is set to appear in court on August 12, 2026. The incident is a stark reminder of the risks of reckless driving, even as Guelph sees a drop in vehicle thefts. So far in 2026, there have been 60 stolen vehicle reports, down from 80 by this time last year. While the numbers are improving, police continue to stress the importance of vehicle safety and responsible driving.
