Durham Police said a 33-year-old male is in custody for a violent carjacking that occurred last Monday evening where an officer suffered serious injuries in Whitby.
On April 10, at approximately 11:40 pm, members of Central West Division were proactively patrolling the area of Consumers Drive and Garden Street, when they located a stolen vehicle that was involved in a carjacking in Brampton.
Police attempted to block the vehicle in, and as they approached, the suspect rammed two police cruisers in an attempt to evade police. The suspect vehicle pinned one of the officers exiting their vehicle before fleeing. A short pursuit was initiated, but quickly discontinued out of concerns for public safety, said a police statement.
Shortly after, police located the suspect vehicle which had been abandoned in the area of Stellar Drive and Thickson Road in Whitby.
Second violent carjacking
On April 11, at about 12:15 am, police were dispatched to a carjacking that had just occurred in the area of Lowder Place and Bellwood Drive, in Whitby.
The suspect approached a couple returning to their residence, brandished a knife and stole their vehicle. When the victims attempted to intervene, the suspect rammed the vehicle into their residence and other vehicles. Police believe the same suspect is responsible for both events, said the statement.
Another cruiser rammed
Police then located the suspect and the second stolen vehicle in the area of Athol Street and Clemence Avenue in Whitby. The suspect drove head-on at the officer and rammed their cruiser, however the officer was not injured. A pursuit was initiated and stopped due to the dangerous driving of the suspect. The suspect was last seen fleeing westbound on Highway 401, police said.
The officer from the initial offence suffered serious non-life threatening injuries as a result of the collision. No other physical injuries were reported.
Arrested, SIU inquiry begins
The Durham Regional Police Robbery Unit had a warrant for the arrest of a 33-year-old male. Following a collaborative effort by the Durham Regional Police, along with York Regional Police, Toronto Police Service and AIR2, the male was arrested on Thursday, April 13, in Toronto. This investigation is ongoing and further charges are anticipated. The Special Investigation Unit has invoked their mandate as a result of injuries incurred to the accused.
A 33-year-old male, of No Fixed Address, is charged with 36 offences, including: Aggravated Assault on a Peace Officer; Assault Peace Officer with Weapon; Dangerous Operation – Bodily Harm and Robbery with Violence or Threat of Violence. These charges stem from the incidents that occurred on April 10th and April 11th.
He is facing an additional 27 charges. Those charges include Dangerous Operation Cause Bodily Harm, Theft of Motor Vehicle and Flight from Police.
His name is not being released at this time due to the ongoing SIU investigation.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Major Crime Robbery Unit at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5355.