CRIME SCENE: Thousands of charges laid as cops clamp down on street racing

Article content

A Peel Regional Police crackdown on street racing and other high-risk driving infractions has led to more than 130 arrests and 2,100 charges being laid over a two-month span.

Project ERASE (Eliminating Racing Activities on Streets Everywhere) — a partnership also involving forces in Toronto, Hamilton, York Region, Halton Region and the OPP — targeted high-risk driving hot spots across the GTA, between May and June, with 684 vehicles investigated and about 100 being seized.

Of the more than 2,100 charges laid, 86 were for stunt driving and 125 were for unnecessary noise.

Some of the incidents police reported include a driver travelling at 209 km/h on May 17 and a pickup truck that flipped on its roof after colliding with another vehicle that ran a red light May 18. In the latter case, both were present at a street-racing event.

“Street racing is illegal and puts lives at risk,” Peel Deputy Chief Marc Andrews said. “Through initiatives like Project ERASE, Peel Regional Police are committed to curbing dangerous driving behaviours that threaten the safety of our roads.”

DURHAM COPS PROBE SHOOTING

Police are hunting for suspects after a home was shot up Monday in Whitby.

Durham Regional Police responded at 7:10 a.m. in the Maria-Annes Sts. area after a homeowner found bullet holes in their front door. Shell casings were also found at the scene, although no physical injuries were reported, despite the residents being home at the time.

Police issued a plea for video footage of the area between midnight and 7 a.m., urging anyone with information to call 1-888-579-1520, Ext. 1847.

RECOMMENDED VIDEO

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

Try refreshing your browser, or
tap here to see other videos from our team.

Play Video

ROCKS THROWN ONTO 401 IN AJAX

Police are warning drivers to be on the lookout for a pair of suspects after rocks were thrown onto the eastbound lanes of Hwy. 401, at Harwood Ave., in Ajax.

The OPP Highway Safety Division said the incident happened Sunday at about 11:30 a.m. and two suspects were seen on the bridge: A white male with long, curly, red hair wearing a red shirt and a white male wearing a grey shirt.

One vehicle sustained damage to its windshield, but no injuries were reported.

“This dangerous act puts motorists at serious risk,” the OPP said on social media.