2 people charged in Toronto incident that left police horse and officer injured were out on bail, police say
The driver of a pickup truck who allegedly struck a police horse and rammed several cruisers on Queen Street West on Friday afternoon was out on bail at the time of the incident, Toronto police say.
In a news release on Saturday, police announced they had laid charges against the driver and the passenger, who they said was also out on bail.
The incident began around 3 p.m. when officers were alerted by their Automatic License Plate Reader about a stolen Dodge Ram at Queen Street West and Beverley Street, west of University Avenue.
Police said a member of the Mounted Unit who was patrolling the area saw the Dodge and tried to stop it.
The driver of the pickup tried to flee, hitting a police horse and three cruisers, police allege. One of the collisions resulted in the pickup mounting the sidewalk and crashing into the Little Burgundy store.
Shortly after, an occupant in the vehicle is seen in a video jumping out and running away from officers. The individual was shortly arrested following a brief pursuit. Police said a second occupant was also taken into custody at the scene.
Meanwhile, an officer sustained non-life-threatening injuries during the incident, and a police horse named York was taken to an emergency animal hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
On Saturday, police identified the suspects as 33-year-old Jonathan Chabot Desrosiers and 30-year-old Cedar Nicholas, with no fixed address.
Both have been charged with theft of a motor vehicle and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.
Desrosiers is facing nine additional charges, including injuring certain animals, dangerous operation of a vehicle, common nuisance/endangering lives or safety of the public, two counts of mischief/damage property over $5,000 and four counts of an assault on a peace officer with a weapon.
Police continue to investigate the incident and are asking anyone with information including video to contact them at 416-808-5200 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477) or www.222tips.com.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Labour minister unveils steps to end Canada Post strike
Canada Post workers began their strike four weeks ago, halting mail and package deliveries across the country. Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon said he hopes work will resume as early as next week.
Canada's homicide rate down in most provinces, with 2 exceptions
The homicide rate is declining in Canada, and the country's three largest cities all saw double-digit percentage decreases in homicides per capita, according to data released this week.
'They believe in diplomacy, good luck': Doug Ford doubles down on energy threat as some premiers distance themselves
Doug Ford is standing behind his threat to stop providing the U.S. with electricity in response to president-elect Donald Trump's promised tariffs, even as several other premiers publicly distance themselves from the stance.
'Little girl deserves justice': Gallery erupts in anger as charges stayed against driver who killed child
In a tense courtroom, a judge stayed the charge against a Saskatoon woman who hit and killed a nine-year-old girl.
Dreaming of a white Christmas? Here are the Canadian cities where snow has been a sure thing
With fewer than two weeks remaining until Christmas Day, weather forecasts and snowfall projections are starting to take shape but have yet to be finalized for cities across Canada.
Skier who went missing at Sun Peaks Resort found dead
In a tragic turn of events, the 68-year-old man who went missing while skiing at Sun Peaks Resort earlier this week has been found dead, the RCMP confirmed Friday.
Mysterious googly eyes go viral after appearing on public art in Oregon
Googly eyes have been appearing on sculptures around the central Oregon city of Bend, delighting many residents and sparking a viral sensation covered widely by news outlets and featured on a popular late-night talk show.
'He was done with shopping': Video shows dog laying on horn in B.C. mall parking lot
Malls can be hectic around the holidays, and sometimes you just can't wait to get home – whether you're on two legs or four.
Ottawa to remove 30% investment cap for Canadian pension funds
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland says the upcoming fall economic statement on Monday will remove the cap that currently restricts Canadian pension funds from owning more than 30 per cent of the voting shares of a Canadian entity.