The Independent

When Lambton OPP went to find a Petrolia man wanted by Sarnia Police, he told them if Sarnia police wanted him, they could come and get him.

Four hours later, Sarnia Police were knocking on his Oil Heritage Line door, with a warrant.

Dec. 11, Sarnia police released the names of a number of people wanted by police, including Matthew Lutes who was wanted for probation violations. Police believed he was living in Petrolia.

Lambton OPP went the an Oil Heritage Road home looking for Lutes just before 3 pm. Lutes refused to come out and surrender to the OPP. “He advised that if Sarnia wanted him, they could come get him.  With the residence contained, OPP contacted SPS to determine if SPS wished to pursue this matter further.  SPS graciously accepted Lutes’ proposal,” Sarnia police wrote in a news release.

Sarnia police obtained a warrant and with Lambton OPP, Sarnia’s Emergency Response and K9 unites, went to the home.

Around 7 pm, a woman came to the door and after being told about the warrant, she tried to block police access to the front door. Police say the woman struck an officer in the face and she was arrested.

Police attempted a number of times to get Lutes to come out of the home, but he refused to leave. The emergency response team then went in and arrested him.

Freedom Spiers, 27, of Petrolia was released after being charged with assaulting police and obstructing police.

Lutes, 47, was charged with two counts of breaching probation. He was released following a bail hearing, Sarnia police said.