Two suspects that rammed into a police horse and numerous cruisers on Queen Street West on Friday afternoon were out on bail at the time of the incident, according to Toronto police.
Over the weekend, police said they laid charges against a driver of a pickup truck and the passenger for allegedly striking a police horse and crashing into several cruisers, while trying to flee the police.
The incident happened around 3 p.m. when police were alerted by their Automatic License Plate Reader (ALPR) about a stolen vehicle in the Queen Street West and Beverley Street area, Toronto police said in a news release.
Two people have been arrested after police say a stolen pickup truck struck a police horse and cruisers before crashing into a store in downtown Toronto on Friday. #toronto pic.twitter.com/63QrvzhMjc
— Now Toronto (@nowtoronto) November 4, 2024
Police say a member of the mounted unit attempted to stop the Dodge Ram when they saw the vehicle coming in hot.
In a video that has since gone viral on social media, the driver of the truck can be seen trying to escape. In the process, the truck hit a police horse and three cruisers before crashing into the Little Burgundy storefront.
In the video, one suspect from the vehicle can also be seen running away from officers. However, police say the individual was arrested not long after and the second suspect was arrested at the scene.
During this incident, one officer was rushed to hospital with non-life threatening injuries and the police horse, named York, was taken to an emergency animal hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
In response, Mayor Olivia Chow offered words of encouragement for the injured officer and horse.
“Today, while investigating a stolen vehicle, an officer’s car was rammed and a police horse was struck. Violence against police officers is never acceptable. I offer the injured officer and the injured police horse my full support, and wish them a speedy recovery,” she wrote on X.
Today, while investigating a stolen vehicle, an officer’s car was rammed and a police horse was struck.
— Mayor Olivia Chow (@MayorOliviaChow) November 1, 2024
Violence against police officers is never acceptable. I offer the injured officer and the injured police horse my full support, and wish them a speedy recovery. https://t.co/2kTV62y27M
Meanwhile, Toronto police Chief Myron Demkiw showed his gratitude for the officers who responded to the incident.
“Thankful tonight that an injured officer will recover and no members of the public were hurt during the dynamic arrest of two people in a stolen vehicle in @TPS52Div. The driver of the car allegedly drove in to multiple police cars and also made contact with one of our three responding horses, York, who has been taken to the vet as a precaution,” he shared on X.
“Our officers do incredible but often dangerous work keeping our city safe. Thank you to all of our members for what you do everyday,” he continued.
Thankful tonight that an injured officer will recover and no members of the public were hurt during the dynamic arrest of two people in a stolen vehicle in @TPS52Div. The driver of the car allegedly drove in to multiple police cars and also made contact with one of our three… https://t.co/J4mLdfj6yE
— Chief Myron Demkiw (@TPSMyronDemkiw) November 1, 2024
On Saturday, police charged 30-year-old Cedar Nicholas and 33-year-old Jonathan Chabot Desrosiers of no fixed addresses.
Nicholas was charged with theft of a motor vehicle and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.
Desrosiers has been charged with the same, in addition to injuring certain animals, two counts of mischief/damage property over $5,000, four counts of an assault on a peace officer with a weapon, dangerous operation of a vehicle, and common nuisance/endangering lives or safety of the public.
Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident or may have video of the incident to contact them at 416-808-5200, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at www.222tips.com.
