Gun pulled on family biking on Pickering-Ajax trail

An Ajax man is in custody after pulling a gun on a family biking on a Pickering trail and then stealing a bicycle when the husband came to his family’s aid.

Durham Police were called to Kingston Road and Notion Road – near the Pickering-Ajax border – on Tuesday, just after 7 p.m. after reports of an armed person.

Police said a woman, her husband and their two children were walking on the Duffins Trail when they were accosted by the suspect, who made “derogatory” comments about the woman and then pointed the weapon at the family when the husband confronted him.

The victims, who were riding bicycles, quickly left the area but the suspect followed them in his vehicle. When the suspect got out of his car the husband got off his bicycle to protect his family.  The suspect then damaged the victim’s bicycle, police said, before stealing it and fleeing the area in his car.

Police located the suspect, Dwayne Richards, 37, a short distance away and took him into custody without incident.

The victims did not sustain any physical injuries.

Richards is charged with four counts of pointing a firearm, passion of a dangerous weapon, theft under $5,000 and mischief under $5,000 and fail to comply with an 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. Tipsters may be eligible for a $2,000 cash reward.