A suspect, already in handcuffs, was able to overpower a Toronto police officer and steal their SUV, sending police on a wild chase early in the downtown area Monday.
A source says CP24 officers were called on break and enter at the corner of Yonge Street and Lawrence Avenue before 4:30 a.m. where they found a male suspect and began detaining him.
During the arrest, the suspect was able to overpower the arresting officer after being handcuffed and jump into a police dog handler’s SUV.
He then allegedly drove off west with two police dogs sitting in the back of the vehicle.
The suspect then crashed the SUV after pulling into the parking lot of a Metro grocery store in the area of Keele Street and Lawrence Avenue.
Before the police arrived, the suspect approached several cars, trying to open them, and then stopped a taxi to try to steal it.
Police then arrived at the scene and subdued the suspect.
The suspect was taken to the hospital’s trauma center with non-life-threatening injuries.
The taxi driver was taken to a local hospital with minor injuries.
The dogs in the back of the police car were not injured.
Insp. Craig Young called the incident “quite extraordinary”.
“It was a brave move to take a police car and be involved in this kind of activity, it’s just extraordinary.”
A large amount of debris was seen along Keele Street leading to the grocery store, suggesting the suspect had hit several objects along the way.
Asked how a suspect could steal a police vehicle in such a manner, Craig said several times they were still working to determine what happened or whether an internal investigation into police practice was needed.
“The circumstances will determine whether an internal investigation is warranted.”
CRASH: Lawrence/Keel – Police called to B&E area – SUV K9 taken by man – SUV damaged after single vehicle collision – One person arrested and taken to hospital, minor injuries – Lawrence closed between Benton/Keel – Investigation ongoing# GO1520771 ^rr pic.twitter.com/5mZCHn5s0s
— Toronto Police Operations (@TPSOperations) August 8, 2022
–With files from CP24’s Beatrice Weissman.
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