A 21-year-old man from North Bay was apprehended by York Regional Police after allegedly fleeing from officers at high speeds on two separate occasions within a week in Georgina. The suspect, identified as Dakota Drury, was reportedly free on bail for another incident at the time of these offenses, raising concerns about public safety.
The first incident occurred on July 10, when officers noticed a red Nissan Qashqai speeding in the vicinity of Woodbine Avenue and Riverglen Drive. Upon turning around to conduct a traffic stop, the vehicle accelerated away at a high rate of speed, eluding the police.
A subsequent sighting of the same vehicle took place on July 17, specifically in the area of Woodbine Avenue and Boyers Road. This time, law enforcement enlisted the aid of a police helicopter to pursue the vehicle. According to video footage released by police, the suspect was seen racing southbound on Highway 404 and subsequently exiting at Highway 7 in Richmond Hill.
During this pursuit, the vehicle allegedly ran multiple red lights and drove against traffic, posing a significant danger to other road users. Despite police deploying a tire deflation device, the Nissan continued on all four tires into the Town of Aurora. Footage captured from the pursuit shows sparks flying as the damaged vehicle continued its reckless journey.
Eventually, in the interest of public safety, law enforcement made intentional contact with the vehicle to bring it to a stop. Drury was taken into custody without injuries reported. A thorough search of the vehicle revealed a loaded handgun, and investigators allege that the accused was impaired by drugs at the time of his arrest.
The loaded handgun, which was seized during the traffic stop, is depicted in a photograph released by the York Regional Police. Alongside the firearm, officers also found ammunition, raising additional questions regarding the suspect's intentions.
Following the culmination of these events, Dakota Drury faces an extensive list of charges, which include:
- Flight from Peace Officer (x2)
- Dangerous Operation of a Vehicle (x2)
- Fail to Comply with Undertaking (x3)
- Impaired by Drug
- Careless Storage of a Firearm
- Careless Storage of Ammunition
- Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm
- Unauthorized Possession in a Motor Vehicle
- Possession of a Firearm Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized
- Possession of Prohibited or Restricted Firearm (x2)
York Regional Police have noted that at the time of these offenses, Dakota Drury was bound by conditions relating to prior unrelated charges, highlighting an ongoing pattern of reckless behavior and disregard for the law by the accused.
