Toronto police have released surveillance video of a female officer who was struck by an alleged stolen vehicle in a hit-and-run earlier this week. A 17-year-old girl has been arrested but the driver remains at large, police say.
The video shows what appears to be three officers on bicycles surrounding a red car at an intersection. The red car is seen turning and accelerating towards them, and one officer jumps off the bicycle in order to avoid being hit.
Another officer gets caught between the red vehicle driving off and another light-coloured car waiting at the intersection.
Police said the incident happened on Saturday at 2:22 p.m. in the Jameson Avenue and King Street West area. Investigators said the officers were investigating a stolen vehicle in that area.
The female officer who was struck was taken to hospital with minor injuries.
Toronto Police Association president Jon Reid told Global News the female officer was very “shaken up” from the hit-and-run and she sustained a gash to her leg. Reid said it “could have been much worse.”
Toronto police Supt. Domenic Sinopoli said the officer started with the force in 2015.
According to Sinopoli, she received 25 stitches in her leg.
The driver of the vehicle involved, and a passenger, did not stay at the scene and fled the area.
Investigators said they were able to recover the vehicle a short time later abandoned in the Lansdowne Avenue and Queen Street West area.
In an update on Tuesday afternoon, police said one of the suspects has been arrested and is a youth — a 17-year-old girl. Due to the Youth Criminal Justice Act, her identity cannot be revealed.
The girl is facing several charges including dangerous operation, dangerous operation causing bodily harm, possession of property or thing obtained by crime over $5,000, leaving the scene of an accident, theft exceeding $5,000 and multiple assault-related charges.
A second teen was apprehended later in the day.
Toronto police said a 15-year-old boy faces charges, including dangerous operation, leaving the scene of an accident causing bodily harm, and theft exceeding $5,000.