Police recover loaded semi-automatic handgun
Deion Velinor, 23, of Toronto was wanted for multiple firearm discharge incidents and bench warrants.
Through their investigation, officers identified a rental 2018 Toyota Camry equipped with a GPS tracker believed to be driven by the suspect.
On August 12 at around 6.40 p.m., officers located the vehicle in the area of 79 Clearview Heights Blvd in North York. As they attempted to box in the parked vehicle at the Esso Gas station at 66 Trethewey Dr., the accused escaped from the driver’s seat and fled on foot. He was arrested after a brief foot chase.
A female passenger was also arrested.
Officers located a loaded 9mm semi-automatic gun that was in plain view on the floor of the front passenger seat.
Supt. Ron Taverner said a co-ordinated and dedicated response led to the arrest and gun seizure.
“When officers face situations that illegal firearms are present or thought to be present, every precaution should be in place to protect officers and members of the public,” he pointed out. “In this case, officers did everything to protect everyone from a potential dangerous situation while at the same time recovering an illicit firearm and arresting the person allegedly in possession of the firearm. The situation involved teamwork, good police work and community support.”
Velinor was wanted for shootings on August 6 and 8, 2021.
It’s alleged he shot a person when a fight broke out while with a group of people in the area of Clearview Heights and Trethewey Dr. The person received minor injuries.
Two days later, Velinor was driving in the area of Keele St. & Downsview Park Blvd. when it’s alleged he was cut off by a another driver.
He followed the driver to the area of Bathurst St. and Lakeshore Blvd. W., pulled in front of him, and shot several times at the driver who wasn’t injured.
Velinor is facing a total of 17 charges for the three incidents.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-2500,Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at 222tips.com, text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637), or Leave A Tip on Facebook.
