The driver of a stolen U-Haul truck who allegedly kidnaped a person at gunpoint before leading police on a pursuit has been arrested, according to police.
Insp. Maher Abdel-Malik said officers were in the area of Danforth and Warden avenues Wednesday investigating an incident that occurred on Dec. 6 at a Best Buy in Scarborough Town Centre, which resulted in an off-duty officer getting stabbed after he intervened during a theft.
Abdel-Malik said during their investigation, officers located a male suspect in a stolen U-Haul believed to be involved in the stabbing. When officers tried to stop the vehicle, there was an “altercation” resulting in several officers sustaining minor injuries.
Abdel-Malik said officers also learned the suspect had abducted a citizen at gunpoint, however, the citizen was brought to safety and the suspect took off in the U-Haul.
“At that point the officers did not engage with the male and followed at a safe distance while we requested the help of York Regional Police, and they provided their helicopter,” said Abdel-Malik.
He said the helicopter followed from above as the suspect made his way downtown until the Emergency Task Force ultimately blocked the vehicle in on Carlton Street.
A 49-year-old male was placed under arrest at the scene.
Police said as a result of the incident, the stolen truck may have collided with several vehicles throughout Toronto and Durham. Anyone who may have been involved is asked to contact Traffic Services investigators.