Man wanted in Hwy. 401 vehicle shootings faces 27 charges in carjacking: Toronto cops
An off-duty Toronto cop was one of the 401 victims, police association says
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A man faces 27 charges after a two-day crime rampage in the GTA that saw multiple cars shot at and two stolen — one on Highway 401 in Mississauga early Tuesday and the other in Toronto’s Riverdale neighbourhood on Wednesday night leaving a driver with serious injuries.
The suspect was arrested after Toronto Police responded to a shooting call round 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday in the Dundas and River Sts. area.
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They say an armed man was walking in the roadway and either shot at or approached no fewer than five vehicles.
According to police, the first vehicle was stopped at a red light when a man tried to open the door and then shot at the driver, causing serious injuries.
Cops say the gunman approached a second vehicle and tried to open the door before shooting at the driver but narrowly missing him.
The man approached two more vehicles and tried unsuccessfully to open the doors before approaching a fifth vehicle with a handgun allegedly aimed at the driver, who exited and the suspect drove the vehicle away, pulling into a parking lot in the area of Lake Shore Blvd. E. and Carlaw Ave.
Police allege he then exited the vehicle and, wielding a handgun, approached a sixth vehicle and demanded the keys but was surrounded by officers. He then fled on foot before an arrest was made and a loaded firearm seized.
Troy Dennis Ledrew, 29, of no fixed address, is charged with six counts each of robbery with firearm, and theft of motor vehicle involving violence; two counts each of attempted murder, discharge firearm with intent to endanger life, possession prohibited device or ammunition knowing its possession is unauthorized and possess firearm or ammunition contrary to prohibition order; and one count each of aggravated assault, unauthorized possession of firearm, possession firearm knowing it’s possession is unauthorized, possession loaded firearm, unauthorized possession firearm in motor vehicle, fail to comply probation, and fail to comply undertaking.
Ledrew was also wanted by the Ontario Provincial Police after they said an armed man shot at more than ten cars near Highway 401 and Renforth Dr. in Mississauga on Tuesday morning before carjacking one.
Any OPP charges in that incident have yet to be released.
Clayton Campbell, Toronto Police Association (TPA) president, said a Toronto Police staff sergeant who was off duty and in civilian clothes was on his way to work when he was rammed in his car by an armed male suspect and shot at on the 401.
“He was fired on with multiple rounds and one bullet struck his car,” Campbell told the Toronto Sun.
“It’s unclear how many shots missed the car but the officer on his way to work is a victim in this crime.”
He added that the TPA is upset since “this suspect was on bail for a violent robbery and for a gun prohibition. He was shooting everybody. It’s scary.”
Saying the man could have easily killed someone, Campbell said something needs to happen on bail reform.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford voiced similar concerns Thursday morning.
“These (justice of the peace) and judges, they have to start keeping people in bail,” Ford told reporters. “It’s ridiculous. We need tough judges and tough JPs when it comes to crime. People are fed up with it.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-7350 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at 222tips.com.
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