Hamilton

Police pull over van missing doors, windows and plates

Niagara police officers saw something unusual at a routine traffic stop Monday: a van being driven missing doors, windows and license plates. That's against the law.

Driver, 66, facing a host of charges

This van with no doors was stopped on Queenston Street at the Welland Canal in St. Catharines, Ont. on Monday morning, police say. (Niagara Regional Police)

Niagara police officers saw something unusual at a routine traffic stop Monday: a van being driven missing doors, windows and license plates. That's against the law.

Police were conducting a distracted driving stop in St. Catharines, Ont. when they came across a green Dodge Caravan with a "slow moving" sign on its tailgate and a wooden stool tied to the roof.

The rear side windows were missing alongside the sliding side doors, police say, and pieces of wood furniture and other items were sticking out of the van.

Officers stopped the ramshackle vehicle, and the driver "immediately admitted" to being a suspended driver with no insurance, police say.

A 66-year-old man is charged with driving while suspended, operating a vehicle with no insurance and no plates, driving an unsafe vehicle, prohibited use of a slow moving vehicle sign and failing to apply for a permit.

Police say the same vehicle was also stopped driving in Fort Erie, Ont. two weeks earlier.