Attempted theft of police cruiser drives charges for Ajax man

An Ajax man is charged after police claim he tried to steal one of their marked cruisers.

Around 4:30 p.m. on June 5, an officer was sitting in her cruiser by 1400 Victoria Street East. The building sits just south of Highway 401 and houses the Reptilia reptile zoo.

A man approached the cruiser and tried to pull her out, police allege. He additionally tried to take her pistol. When he failed, he hopped in his own car and drove off.

Officers from two divisions, the Air 1 helicopter and K-9 units searched the area. They discovered a suspect near Highway 401 and Stevenson Road in Oshawa, about four kilometres east of Reptilia. They pinned the car and arrested the driver.

Daniel Patrick Junior McKnight, 32 of Ajax, is charged with;

• robbery,
• attempting to disarm a peace officer,
• assault of a peace officer,
• failure to stop,
• dangerous driving and,
• two counts of breaching probation.

He remains in custody until a bail hearing.

Anyone with information can call police at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5365 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).