A Chatham Township man – accused of attempted murder for allegedly trying to run over a Chatham-Kent police officer – was finally granted bail.
A Chatham Township man – accused of attempted murder for allegedly trying to run over a Chatham-Kent police officer – was finally granted bail.
After a previous attempts, Larry VanBraeckel, 28, was granted a release from jail into a house arrest situation, where he will reside with a family member who has a terminal illness.
A publication ban was imposed at the beginning of the bail hearing on Tuesday.
Justice of the peace Helen Gale noted a “significant plan” had been proposed, which includes GPS monitoring while VanBraeckel serves his house arrest.
Noting GPS monitoring is very serious, very significant and “very often honoured,” the justice of the peace said there are “extraordinary consequences” if someone removes the device.
VanBraeckel’s two sureties are each committing $1,500 while VanBraeckel will also be required to pay a $3,000 penalty if he violates his bail conditions.
The other terms of VanBraeckel’s bail include remaining at his residence except for medical emergencies involving himself or an immediate family member, and residing with his surety.
A non-communication order for a number of people was also imposed as part of VanBraeckel’s bail conditions, along with a weapons ban.
VanBraeckel is set to return to court on March 9 for intensive case management to arrange a trial date,
VanBraeckel faces an attempted murder charge for allegedly trying to run over a Chatham-Kent police officer who was conducting traffic enforcement on Pain Court Line in Dover Township as part of a back-to-school safety campaign in early September 2022.
VanBraeckel also faces related charges of assaulting a police officer, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, flight from police, failure to remain at a collision, mischief, prohibited operation of a motor vehicle, two counts of possession of a firearm contrary to prohibition order, failure to comply with a release order and five Highway Traffic Act offences, including suspended driving and stunt driving.
According to previously published reports, officers saw a gray Mazda allegedly speeding in the area and indicated to the driver to pull over.
As the vehicle approached, though, the driver allegedly attempted to strike an officer, police said.
The officer was able to evade the vehicle. Officers on the scene tried to stop the vehicle but were initially unsuccessful.
A short time later, police successfully stopped the vehicle on Irwin Street in Chatham. The driver was arrested and taken into custody.
The man was reportedly bound by several prohibitions and conditions, and wanted on several warrants, police added.
While being searched, the suspect was allegedly found to have a replica-style handgun that violated his release order.