Aug. 31, 2006. 01:44 PM
CAMILLE ROSS
STAFF REPORTER

Two men face several charges after a stolen car they were driving struck two police cruisers during a pursuit in Oshawa and Whitby.

The pursuit started when Oshawa Community Police officers tried to stop a red four door Chrysler, around 2 a.m. near Gibb St., in the King St., W., and Stevenson Rd. S., area.

Despite a flat tire, the vehicle evaded police west onto Hwy 401 from Park Rd., with sparks flying from the rim of the damaged front wheel, and exited the highway at Thickson Rd., in Whitby.

The men continued north on Thickson Rd., and hit a large tractor-trailer near Champlain Dr. Officers attempting a rolling block of the suspects’ vehicle also had their cruisers struck when the cars came to a stop.

The suspects fled the scene by foot, but officers arrested the driver shortly after. The second man was arrested after two road construction workers noticed the foot pursuit and cornered him behind a plaza in the area. The suspect held out a screwdriver and threatened the workers, but police arrived shortly.

Two officers received minor injuries during the pursuit.

“This is not only a danger to the officers, but a danger for the general public, who have no idea that this person is evading capture,” said Sgt. Paul McCurbin of Durham Region police.

Ken West, 26, of London, faces a number of theft, driving, assault, and weapons charges.

Jonathan Loveday, 32, of no fixed address faces theft and weapons charges.

Both men were held for a bail hearing in Oshawa.