Alert Officers Make Gun Arrests

Officers on general patrol seized two handguns and drugs when three people ditched the SUV they were in and ran off near Islington Ave. and Highway 401.

“This was an incredibly great piece of police work where officers were aware of their surroundings and what was going on, officers engaged in what to be a suspicious action going on,” said 23 Division Superintendent Ron Taverner.

On February 22, 2025, officers were on general patrol when they encountered a black SUV parked at the end of a dead-end street that drove away as they approached. The vehicle turned onto another dead-end street where a person advised police that three people fled from the into a wooded area.

Believing that the driver may be impaired after noticing a strong odour of cannabis coming from the abandoned vehicle, a Police Dog Services handler and general purpose dog were called to track the occupants.

While the canine team tracked, two handguns were found on the ground nearby. Shortly after, two men were found by the canine officer and arrested. It's alleged one of the men had bullets in his pocket.

Officers searching the area for the suspects noticed another vehicle idling in the area. During an investigation of the vehicle, they allege that drugs were visible on the backseat and arrested the driver, who lived with another one of the men arrested.

A search warrant of an Etobicoke residence yielded more drugs including cocaine, crystal meth and fentanyl.

The three accused are facing 36 charges, including firearm and drug possession and failing to comply.

The 23 Division Major Crime Unit and Integrated Gun and Gang Task Force were involved in the investigation.

“The officers involved took the action required to take two handguns, a large amount of drugs off the street,” Taverner said. “This was all with the assistance of other units, all working as a team.”