The OPP have laid 18 charges as part of a two-day crime rampage where a man is alleged to have shot at at least 10 vehicles on Highway 401 near Dixie in Mississauga on Nov 26.
Police say reports about the shootings began coming in around 5 a.m. including the male had allegedly stolen a vehicle from a passing motorist before fleeing the area.
The OPP, with help from Toronto and Peel Police, soon identified the accused whose photo and description were shared with media and the public, and he was arrested in Toronto on Nov. 27 following yet more alleged shootings, in which a man was seriously injured, and a carjacking in Riverdale that lead to 27 earlier charges from Toronto Police.
Troy LeDrew, 29, of no fixed address, has now been charged by the OPP with four counts of attempted murder using a restricted firearm, six counts of robbery using a firearm, three counts of possessing a firearm contrary to prohibition order, one count of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and four other firearms charges.
Clayton Campbell, Toronto Police Association (TPA) president, earlier said a Toronto Police staff sergeant who was off duty and in civilian clothes was on his way to work when he was allegedly rammed in his car by an armed male suspect and shot at on the 401.
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.
The OPP says this continues to be an ongoing investigation in partnership with Toronto Police and anyone with information related to the incidents on Highway 401 and 410 are asked to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122.
Anyone with information about the incident in Toronto should reach out to Toronto Police Service at 1-416-808-2222.
You can also report anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at ontariocrimestoppers.ca.
Ledrew was already facing 27 charges by Toronto Police after a man allegedly shot at five cars, injuring one man seriously, before carjacking a vehicle on Nov. 27 in the Dundas and River Sts. area and driving it to a gas station at Lakeshore and Carlaw.
The suspect was eventually arrested by police after fleeing on foot from the gas station and a gun was allegedly seized.