Vehicle drives through busy playground in Ajax, Ontario

Rotary Park in Ajax became a dangerous place to be earlier this month when a vehicle was seen driven “dangerously” through the playground, splash pad, and walking paths which were filled with pedestrians, including children.

Police attempted to stop the vehicle but the driver escaped capture but a short time later returned to the scene, driving along a pedestrian bridge, police say, before he was eventually captured, though not before another vehicle was damaged in the suspect’s attempt to escape.

Durham Regional Police responded on the late afternoon of Saturday, July 18 to reports of a white Toyota sedan driven dangerously through Rotary Park on the shores of Lake Ontario. The suspect vehicle, police said, drove through the playground, splash pad, and walking paths, which were filled at the time with people enjoying summer in the park.

Officers located the vehicle nearby at Westney Road and Bayly Street and unsuccessfully attempted a stop. The suspect vehicle returned to the park area soon after and drove along a pedestrian bridge on the Waterfront Trail, before fleeing the area again.

Officers found the vehicle once more, this time at Harwood Avenue and Bayly Street and again attempted to block the driver in. The suspect, police said, made efforts to evade police, resulting in his vehicle colliding with an unrelated GMC SUV before officers took the man into custody.

No injuries have been reported.

Ismail Abrahimzada, 23, from Aurora, was charged with dangerous operation and fail to stop for police.

He was held for a bail hearing.

Anyone with cellphone, dashcam, surveillance footage or information about this incident is asked to contact Cst. Smith of West Division at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 1901.

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 cash reward.