Traffic as a cop's best friend: Police catch up with a man driving a stolen truck after he got stuck in a jam

The bane of drivers, transit passengers, cyclists and on Thursday morning, one particular truck thief.

A traffic jam enabled Halton police to catch up to a Mississauga man who stole a large cargo truck and took it for a ride along Highway 401 near Milton.

At 8:52 a.m.a member of the public alertedHaltonRegional Police toa man driving a stolen truck near Highway 401 and Steeles Avenue.

The officers went to the area andidentified the truck, but were unsuccessful in apprehending the driver.They "strategically followed the vehicle"and chaseditsouth on Winston Churchill Boulevard in Milton, police said in a news release.

At that point, the driver of the stolen truckgot stuck behind other vehicles in a traffic jam.

"Seizing this opportunity, officers quickly arrested the driver," said police.

When officers subsequently conducted a search they founddrugs and "numerous tools specifically designed for the purposes of stealing motor vehicles."Police also discovered the accusedwasdriving while under suspension.

The accused is charged with possession of stolen property over $5,000, flight while being pursued by police, and possession of a controlled substance,break-in instrumentsand an automobile master key.