

Sandie Benitah, cp24.com





A man who managed to elude police during a dramatic takedown outside a North York shopping centre Wednesday morning has been caught.

The suspect, who police believe was armed with a gun when he escaped, was caught behind an address on Dallner Road at around 4 p.m.

Officers believe the man escaped by running into the mall during the high-risk takedown outside Sheridan Mall, near Jane Street and Wilson Avenue at around 11:30 a.m.

Both Toronto police and York Regional Police are involved in the case which started with an alleged home invasion and kidnapping in Vaughan.

The drama first unfolded at a home on Solway Avenue, near Keele Street and Major Mackenzie Drive, at around 11 a.m. Someone at the home told police they were robbed and that the suspects forced a man into a vehicle described as a four-door sedan.

As police were making their way to the home, they spotted the suspects' vehicle and immediately gave chase.

Their pursuit ended outside the mall when police were finally able to block the vehicle.

In total, five people were placed into custody, according to Const. Blair McQuillian with York Regional Police. One of them is believed to be a minor. CP24's news helicopter spotted the last suspect running from the scene and into Sheridan Mall.

Meanwhile, police spotted the man who had been forced from his home in the car. He was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

To ensure the public remained safe, local schools were briefly locked to the public. Chalkfarm Public School in North York was put into "hold and secure" mode while police searched for the missing suspect. St. Gerard Majella and St. Philip Neri catholic schools were also under "hold and secure."

All security measures have since been lifted.

The schools had been thoroughly searched and were deemed safe but students were held inside because of the large police presence in the area.

Police are asking anyone who observed anything suspicious near Solway Avenue around the time the home invasion took place to call investigators.

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