OPP arrest Hamilton man after OnStar remotely stops stolen vehicle

A 33-year-old Hamilton man who was allegedly driving a stolen vehicle was arrested Saturday, provincial police say, after OnStar remotely stopped it, allowing officers to take him into custody.

The vehicle was initially reported stolen from a parking lot in the Hamilton-Burlington area, according to Sgt. Kerry Schmidt. 

The victim called the OPP and was able to provide "real-time updates" on their vehicle's location as it was driven "around the Golden Horseshoe," he added.

Police say officers used cruisers to box the vehicle in on the QEW near the Garden City Skyway in St. Catharines.

"With the assistance of OnStar that was monitoring this vehicle they were able to remotely have that vehicle slow down without the power of the driver," Schmidt explained.

The 33-year-old is charged with possession of property obtained by crime.

According to OnStar, once someone who has the service has filed a police report and once police confirm the conditions are right, the company can send a signal to disable the stolen vehicle's engine and gradually slow it to an idle speed.

Schmidt credited cooperation with OnStar for making "everyone's lives a lot safer." 

"Certainly, had that driver decided to run from the police this could have been a very dangerous and volatile situation."