A West Division woman police officer teamed up with a citizen to help resolve a dangerous situation in Pickering on Friday.
On August 21 at about 6:30 pm, members of West Division responded to an Impaired Driving complainant in the area of Finch Avenue and Fairport Road in Pickering. A male was observed operating a white motor vehicle and driving into oncoming traffic during rush hour, said a police media statement.
A West Division officer observed this vehicle drive into oncoming traffic while southbound on Whites Road and again eastbound on Kingston Road. The driver lost control at Delta Boulevard, striking a stationary vehicle, causing multiple but non-life threatening injuries to the driver. The male then got out of the vehicle and began running eastbound on Kingston Road. Several eastbound vehicles narrowly missed him as he ran on the roadway, police said.
Fearing the male was going to be hit by traffic, the officer tried to pursue on foot, but the man was too far ahead and running in traffic. A civilian motorist offered assistance and the officer stood on the passenger side foot rails of his Jeep as they pursued the male. They were able to close the distance and catch up to the male at the westbound ramp to the 401, said the statement.
The male was uncooperative and lunged at the officer, who deployed her Conducted Energy Weapon (taser). Multiple deployments of the CEW were required as the male remained threatening and uncooperative. Other officers attended and were able to secure the male.
Vasilis Profitis, age 31 of No Fixed Address is charged with: Leave Accident Scene; Dangerous Operation; Fail to Stop for Police; Impaired Operation of Conveyance (drug); Impaired Operation of Conveyance – Bodily Harm; Driving While Under Suspension; and Careless Driving – Bodily Harm.
The officer and civilian involved will be recommended for citations.