Male Arrested for Pointing Handgun at Family in Pickering

A male is in custody after he pointed a handgun at a family following a verbal dispute in Pickering.

On Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at approximately 7:05 p.m., members of West Division responded to an armed person call in the area of Kingston Road West and Notion Road.  A male made derogatory remarks toward a female on Duffins Trail, as she was passing by with her husband and two children.  The female’s husband came to her aid resulting in a verbal dispute with the suspect.  The suspect revealed a concealed handgun and pointed it toward the victims.  The victims, who were riding bicycles, quickly fled the area. 

The suspect followed the victims in his vehicle, as they continued to bicycle further west.  When the victims saw the suspect exit his vehicle, the adult male got off his bicycle to protect his children.  The suspect then grabbed and damaged the victim’s bicycle before stealing it and fleeing the area in his car.

Police located the suspect a short distance away and took him into custody without incident.

The victims did not sustain any physical injuries.

Dwayne Robert RICHARDS, age 37 from Ajax is charged with: Pointing a Firearm x4, Possess Weapon Dangerous to Public, Theft Under $5000, Mischief Under $5000, and Fail to Comply with Undertaking.

He was held for a bail hearing.

Anyone with cellphone, dashcam, surveillance footage or information about this incident is asked to contact D/Cst Chrzan of the West Division Criminal Investigations Branch at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 2565.

Anonymous information can be sent to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca and tipsters may be eligible for a $2,000 cash reward.

The information in this media release contains facts and circumstances that have been obtained from a police investigation.  These allegations have yet to be proven in court. 

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