Alex Kurial/Local Journalism Initiative

A Michigan man who led Ontario police on a search across three cities will be deported.
Justin Lamarte will be sent to the United States but not until he serves 90 days jail for a series of vehicle crimes earlier this year.
The 23 year-old led police on a search of three cities in 24 hours in October after he crossed the Ambassador Bridge and blew through the Canada border checkpoint. Lamarte disappeared on the 401 in a dark grey Ford sedan.
He made the unorthodox entry into Canada Oct. 19, and during the next day spent time in Toronto and London. At 11 pm Oct. 20 the vehicle was spotted in Sarnia at Northgate Mall. Despite the darkness the car had no lights on, and also no license plate.
The sedan – driven by Lamarte – sped down Exmouth St. and refused to stop for police. When Lamarte reached Murphy Road he made a U-turn and began speeding the opposite way. Police called off the chase for public safety. But the pursuit was just getting started.
A half an hour later, Lamarte was spotted at the Colborne and Rosedale Ave. intersection. He sped away down Michigan Ave., and again the chase was called off.
An hour later police found the sedan at Amsterdam Court. This time Lamarte accelerated full speed toward police, barely missing a marked car and once more forcing officers to abandon the chase.
The 100 minute pursuit finally came to an end at 12:40 am Oct. 21 when Lamarte was found at the Petro Can gas station on Indian Road. Noticing police, he took off south going through several stop signs and turning east on London Rd.
This time Lamarte lost control of the car, striking a curb before smashing into a hydro pole.
After Lamarte was arrested, a search of the car showed it was stolen. The Ford was destroyed.
“I take full responsibility for my actions. I’m sorry for what I’ve done and sorry for wasting your time,” Lamarte says to Sarnia Court during his Dec. 2 sentencing.
Defense lawyer Robert McFadden says his client struggles with bipolar disorder, and has been in and out of mental health centers in Michigan. McFadden hopes his client will receive better help when he returns home.
The three offenses – dangerous driving, evading an officer, and possessing stolen property – were Lamarte’s first crimes in Canada, although he does have a criminal record in Michigan.
Justice Krista Leszczynski agreed to a joint submission of three months jail.
Lamarte has 25 days left after pre-sentence custody.
He is also banned from driving in Canada for three years.
Leszczynski says Lamarte’s conduct was “very dangerous and caused significant risk to this community and the public…
“I also consider as aggravating the fact that your vehicle almost collided head-on… with a police officer engaged in the execution of their duty,” she says.
When he finishes his time in Sarnia Jail, Lamarte will be escorted back to the United States and handed over to Homeland Security. From there he’ll be taken to Kent County in Michigan to face outstanding warrants.

Alex Kurial/Local Journalism Initiative

A Michigan man who led Ontario police on a search across three cities will be deported.
Justin Lamarte will be sent to the United States but not until he serves 90 days jail for a series of vehicle crimes earlier this year.
The 23 year-old led police on a search of three cities in 24 hours in October after he crossed the Ambassador Bridge and blew through the Canada border checkpoint. Lamarte disappeared on the 401 in a dark grey Ford sedan.
He made the unorthodox entry into Canada Oct. 19, and during the next day spent time in Toronto and London. At 11 pm Oct. 20 the vehicle was spotted in Sarnia at Northgate Mall. Despite the darkness the car had no lights on, and also no license plate.
The sedan – driven by Lamarte – sped down Exmouth St. and refused to stop for police. When Lamarte reached Murphy Road he made a U-turn and began speeding the opposite way. Police called off the chase for public safety. But the pursuit was just getting started.
A half an hour later, Lamarte was spotted at the Colborne and Rosedale Ave. intersection. He sped away down Michigan Ave., and again the chase was called off.
An hour later police found the sedan at Amsterdam Court. This time Lamarte accelerated full speed toward police, barely missing a marked car and once more forcing officers to abandon the chase.
The 100 minute pursuit finally came to an end at 12:40 am Oct. 21 when Lamarte was found at the Petro Can gas station on Indian Road. Noticing police, he took off south going through several stop signs and turning east on London Rd.
This time Lamarte lost control of the car, striking a curb before smashing into a hydro pole.
After Lamarte was arrested, a search of the car showed it was stolen. The Ford was destroyed.
“I take full responsibility for my actions. I’m sorry for what I’ve done and sorry for wasting your time,” Lamarte says to Sarnia Court during his Dec. 2 sentencing.
Defense lawyer Robert McFadden says his client struggles with bipolar disorder, and has been in and out of mental health centers in Michigan. McFadden hopes his client will receive better help when he returns home.
The three offenses – dangerous driving, evading an officer, and possessing stolen property – were Lamarte’s first crimes in Canada, although he does have a criminal record in Michigan.
Justice Krista Leszczynski agreed to a joint submission of three months jail.
Lamarte has 25 days left after pre-sentence custody.
He is also banned from driving in Canada for three years.
Leszczynski says Lamarte’s conduct was “very dangerous and caused significant risk to this community and the public…
“I also consider as aggravating the fact that your vehicle almost collided head-on… with a police officer engaged in the execution of their duty,” she says.
When he finishes his time in Sarnia Jail, Lamarte will be escorted back to the United States and handed over to Homeland Security. From there he’ll be taken to Kent County in Michigan to face outstanding warrants.