The 15-minute spree, which began when a motorcycle buzzed a Durham police cruiser and spanned streets in both Oshawa and Whitby, ended when the biker took a spill and ran off on foot, only to be tracked down by officers who had pursued him on the ground and from above, Sergeant Paul McCurbin said.

The motorcycle rider had his licence pulled by the courts after several appearances: "He's prohibited from driving for seven separate convictions," Sgt. McCurbin said.

The incident began at 10:30 p.m. Thursday when a Durham officer doing paperwork relating to a traffic stop at Bond Street and Park Road in Oshawa saw a motorcycle fly by, the rider revving the engine in a way the cop interpreted as taunting. The bike continued west on King Street, then Dundas Street, with the cruiser following at a distance and the Air 1 police helicopter crew watching from above, Sgt. McCurbin said.

Winding through several streets, the biker dodged north, south and then east, heading back toward Oshawa. At one point police stopped traffic at an intersection to prevent a collision as the bike approached, Sgt. McCurbin said. The rider also veered toward police cars before tearing off, he said.

It was when the rider decided to pop some wheelies as cops watched on Park Road near Hillside Avenue that the joyride came to an end. As the bike veered right its tires hit a sewer cover, sending the motorcycle into the curb and dumping the driver, Sgt. McCurbin said. He ran off but was quickly cornered by cops as he hid behind a house.

The rider was treated for injuries that included facial abrasions, a broken collarbone and wrist and cracked ribs. Then he had to deal with the police.

Adam Simeunovich, 30, of Lorindale Drive in Oshawa, faces 12 charges, including driving while disqualified, dangerous driving and failing to stop.