OPP officers were forced to use a spike belt to stop a vehicle along Highway 402 in Middlesex County, April 8, 2020. (Photo courtesy of the OPP)

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Charges have been laid after a spike belt had to be used to stop a vehicle that fled from border officers at the Blue Water Bridge.

The Ontario Provincial Police said the vehicle failed to stop at the primary inspection lanes on the bridge coming into Canada. The U.S.-Canada border is currently closed to all non-essential travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic. When Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver fled and nearly struck one of the officers.

Lambton County OPP officers caught up with the vehicle on Highway 402 but the driver refused to pull over and continued to flee at an excessive speed. OPP officers were able to stop the vehicle on the highway by using a spike belt near the Colonel Talbot exit in Middlesex County. The driver was then arrested and taken to the Lambton OPP detachment.

As a result, Thuy Nguyen, 40, of San Diego, California is now charged with assault with a weapon, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, flight from police, assault with intent to resist arrest, two counts of assaulting a peace officer and resisting a peace officer.

As well, Nguyen has been charged by the CBSA under the Customs Act with hindering, failing to report, and evading compliance. An additional charge of failure to appear for an examination was also laid under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

Nguyen was held in custody and appeared in court on Thursday.