A 47-year-old Oshawa man is facing a slew of charges after leading police on a high-speed chase, believed to be the second-longest helicopter pursuit in provincial history.

According to police, a female travelling in the area of Rossland Road West and Stevenson Road North in Oshawa called shortly after 2:30 a.m. on Jan. 27 because she was being followed by a male known to her.

Police say he was driving erratically behind her and was trying to ram her vehicle. Communications officers advised her to drive towards Central West Division in Whitby.

Officers located the man’s vehicle, which quickly left the area. He continued to evade police who backed off and for safety reasons. Eventually the male entered Highway 401 eastbound, travelling at speeds as high as 230 km/hr. Police helicopter Air1 followed the vehicle for 154 kilometres, as officers on the road kept a safe distance away. The male initially travelled towards Peterborough but then began to drive back towards Durham Region.

DRPS officers strategically placed a tire deflation device on Ganaraska Road and were able to stop the vehicle. The driver fled on foot and officers searched the area. The male attempted to discard evidence in the forest but officers in Air1 were able to direct ground units to the items. The suspect was found in a wooded area and arrested.

“DRPS would like to thank the OPP, the Port Hope Police (Service) and the Cobourg Police Service for their assistance with this incident,” the media release reads.

The man has been charged with criminal harassment, possession of cocaine, possess heroin for the purpose of trafficking, possess cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, possess MDMA for the purpose of trafficking, race a motor vehicle, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and driving while under suspension. His name is being withheld due to the domestic nature of this incident.

The man was held for a bail hearing.

A video of the portions of the chase has been released by police.