Alert Citizens Lead Police to Guns
Concerned citizens alerting police of a suspicious vehicle led to the seizure of two guns and several rounds of ammunition in east end of Scarborough.
“Improving trust in the police and promoting community safety are main priorities for Toronto Police,” said 43 Division Acting Superintendent Ryan Forde. “In 43 Division, our officers work tirelessly to build relationships with our neighbourhood residents to foster open communication and confidence in our officers. When residents trust the police, they are more prone to report crime when they see it, knowing that our officers will act quickly to serve their community. Officers rely on our citizens to be the eyes and ears of the city and to share any concerns they see and hear with police.”
On November 19 at around 9.43 a.m., a citizen observed a vehicle running and the doors wide open at the Adams Park parking lot near Port Union Rd. and Highway 401.
Another passerby also saw the vehicle reporting that four men appeared to be unconscious to the police Communications Operator.
Officers appeared on the scene minutes later and located the men inside the vehicle.
“After a brief conversation, it became apparent they were not being truthful to the officers,” Forde alleged. “They also appeared to be concealing their identities by covering their faces with hoods and masks.”
Once advised that they were being detained for investigation, they attempted to flee on foot and officers struggled to arrest them.
It is alleged while arresting one of the males, officers located a loaded firearm tucked in his waistband. While searching for one of the suspects who escaped, a second loaded firearm was located on the ground nearby.
“Without the assistance of the caller, these violent criminals would still be at large, armed with deadly weapons,” Forde said. “The public is urged to contact police should they encounter something suspicious like this. The community members who called us on this occasion could very well have saved a life.”
Two men and two youth were arrested.
