Man charged after reporting car stolen hours after crashing it: Guelph Police

A Guelph man who falsely reported his vehicle stolen several hours after crashing it is facing multiple charges.

Police say the 27-year-old man went to the police station Saturday morning and claimed his Honda Civic had been stolen from outside a north-end bar the night before. He told officers he left it there because he was intoxicated and returned Saturday morning to find it gone.

At the time, officers were already investigating a single-vehicle crash that had occurred around 12:15 a.m. Saturday on Stevenson Street North, where a car left the road and struck a fire hydrant and sign. The vehicle was unoccupied when officers arrived and the registered owner could not be located.

Investigators later reviewed surveillance footage from the bar, which showed the man getting into the car and driving away roughly 90 minutes before the crash.

The man is charged with public mischief, dangerous driving and failing to stop after an accident. He is scheduled to appear in court Aug. 1.