Waterloo Regional Police have a suspect in custody following a crime spree early Tuesday afternoon.
It started in the area of Fairway Road South at around 12:30 p.m. when a man with a knife demanded money from a restaurant employee.
Soon after, police say the man stole a rental vehicle that had been idling nearby.
Officers spotted the vehicle speeding along King Street East, where they say the driver ran several red lights.
Due to public safety concerns, police had to call off the pursuit.
“Police later located the vehicle in the Hespeler area, which struck a dump truck, and the driver continued to flee,” said WRPS in a news release.
“The vehicle was later located by police in the downtown area, and shortly after, the driver was located and arrested by members of the Waterloo Regional Police Service's Emergency Response Team.”
A 27-year-old Waterloo male has now been charged with:
- Robbery with a weapon (two counts)
- Theft of a motor vehicle
- Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
- Drive disqualified
- Dangerous driving
- Failing to remain at the scene of a collision
The accused was held in police custody for a bail hearing.