Toronto, Ontario — A suspect is in custody after an individual stole and crashed a Toronto police cruiser with multiple police dogs inside.
The male perpetrator was sent to the hospital and no dogs were harmed in the incident.
The incident began when officers responded to a call early Monday Morning (4 a.m.) about a break and entry in the Yonge and Lawrence Avenue area.
The officers apparently located the suspect of the break and enter. However, while in the process of handcuffing the suspect, a police officer was overpowered, allowing the male perpetrator to steal the officer’s cruiser. The cruiser contained two police K-9s in the backseat.
The perpetrator reached the Lawrence and Keele Street area before crashing the vehicle in a Metro Grocery parking lot.
The police arrived shortly thereafter, finding the suspect attempting to flag down and carjack taxis.
The police detained the subject a second time, then sent the male to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
Insp. Craig Young commented on the incident by stating, “It was an audacious move to take a police car and engage in this kind of activity, it’s extraordinary.”
Police have not released the suspect’s name or age.
Insp. stated that police are currently working to determine further specificities of the events, and decisions will be made on whether an internal probe will be required.
Roads remained closed in the area Monday as a result of the incident but should reopen promptly once the investigation is complete.
