A 32-year-old man has been charged after allegedly stealing a Toronto police SUV with two dogs inside during a crime spree Monday.
Police said that at 4 a.m. that day, officers attended an address in the Bedford Park area of the city, near Yonge Street and Brookdale Avenue, north of Lawrence Avenue, for a burglary.
According to investigators, a man approached a retail store that was closed for business and threw a rock at the glass door, causing it to shatter. This person then allegedly entered the premises and removed a large quantity of items.
Police said an officer with the Toronto Police Canine Service quickly responded and located the suspect, who then took off running.
The officer then reportedly released his trained dog and the two caught up with the man, who “began to resist arrest.” Police said that during the struggle, the officer “subdued the man” and handcuffed him.
Shortly after, the suspect managed to free himself and drove off in the vehicle with two other police dogs inside.
Investigators said the suspect crashed the police car near Keel Street and Lawrence Avenue West.
He then tried to carjack two drivers.
The suspect initially approached a pickup truck that was stopped at a nearby intersection, broke out the driver’s side window and began pulling on the door handle. The driver of that vehicle fled the area.
He then allegedly approached a minivan that was also stopped at the intersection, smashed the driver’s side window and began pulling the driver from that vehicle.
Police said they arrived at the scene “immediately” and arrested the suspect.
Zenon Klein-Oram, 32, of no fixed address, is charged with one count each of breaking and entering, assault with intent to resist arrest, escape from lawful custody, theft of a motor vehicle, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, escape during a pursuit by a peace officer, as well as two counts of possession of property obtained by crime, robbery and failure to comply with probation.
He was due in court for a bail hearing on August 9.
Anyone with additional information should contact police at 416-808-7350 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-8477 (TIPS) or www.222tips.com.
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