Toronto police charge two people after police horse and officer were injured

The driver of a pickup truck who allegedly struck a police horse and rammed several cruisers on Queen Street West on Friday afternoon was out on bail at the time of the incident, Toronto police say.

In a press release Saturdaypolice announced they had filed charges against the driver and passenger, who they said were also out on bail.

The incident began around 3 p.m. when officers were alerted by their automatic license plate reader to a stolen Dodge Ram at Queen Street West and Beverley Street, west of University Avenue.

Police said a Mounted Unit member patrolling the area saw the Dodge and tried to stop it.

The pickup driver tried to flee, hitting a police horse and three cruisers, police allege. One of the collisions resulted in the pickup mounting the sidewalk and crashing into the store in Little Burgundy.

Shortly afterwards, video shows an occupant in the vehicle jumping out and running from officers. After a short chase, the man was arrested a short time later. According to police, a second resident was also arrested at the scene.

Meanwhile, an officer suffered non-life-threatening injuries during the incident and a police horse was taken to an emergency animal hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

On Saturday, police identified the suspects as 33-year-old Jonathan Chabot Desrosiers and 30-year-old Cedar Nicholas, of no fixed address.

Both have been charged with theft of a motor vehicle and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.

Desrosiers faces nine additional charges including injuring certain animals, dangerous operation of a vehicle, general nuisance/endangering lives or safety of the public, two charges of mischief/damage to property over $ 5,000 and four charges of assault on a peace officer with a weapon.

Police continue to investigate the incident and ask anyone with information, including video, to contact them at 416-808-5200 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477) or www.222tips.com.