Toronto driver with a gun rams cop cars in Caledon: police

Police have laid over a dozen charges against a Toronto man after allegedly crashing into two cop cars in Caledon while armed with a pistol.

The OPP says officers from the Caledon detachment were called to the area of McCandless Court and Paisley Green Ave. around 2:30 a.m. on Friday morning (March 3) after receiving reports of a suspicious person and vehicle in the area.

Police say officers arrived in the area within minutes of the call but the suspect rammed into two police cruisers while trying to make a getaway.

That’s when the driver – who police say was armed with a handgun – took off on foot with officers giving chase. A 34-year-old man from Toronto was arrested a short while later and hit with over a dozen charges including assaulting a peace officer, police said.

Nathaniel Snowden, 34, of Toronto has been charged with:

• Unauthorized possession of a prohibited/restricted firearm
• Possession of firearm at unauthorized place
• Careless use of firearm, weapon, prohibited device or ammunition
• Possession of prohibited or restricted firearm with ammunition
• Possession of a prohibited device or ammunition
• Dangerous operation
• Assault peace officer with a weapon – two counts
• Operation while prohibited
• Possession of firearm or ammunition contrary to prohibition order – two counts
• Flight from peace officer
• Failure to comply with prohibition order
• Possession of property obtained by crime under $5000 – two counts
• Possession of break-in instruments
• Driving while under suspension
• Driving motor vehicle with open container of liquor

Police say the accused was held for a bail hearing at the Ontario Court of Justice in Orangeville. None of the allegations have been proven in court.

The Caledon OPP is encouraging anyone who witnesses a suspicious person or vehicle in their area can contact police.

“It was that report along with the officers’ quick response that resulted in an arrest, multiple charges, and a weapon taken off our streets,” the Caledon OPP said in a statement.

Police say to call 9-1-1 if you witness suspicious activity in your neighbourhood. You can also provide information anonymously by contacting Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.peelcrimestoppers.ca. When you contact Crime Stoppers you stay anonymous, you never have to testify, and you could receive a cash reward of up to $2,000 upon an arrest.