Toronto police say off-duty officer stabbed while trying to stop theft at store

Toronto’s police service says one of its officers was stabbed during an alleged theft at an east-end store and one of the four suspects involved remains at large.

Investigators say three men and a woman were allegedly leaving a store located in the McCowan Road and Progress Avenue area just before noon on Dec. 6 with a stolen item when an off-duty officer tried to stop them.

Police allege the officer was then stabbed by one of the men before all four suspects fled the area in a car.

The officer was taken to hospital in serious condition.

READ MORE: 7th Canadian death recorded in cantaloupe-related salmonellosis

Police say three of the suspects have been arrested and investigators are still searching for one man.

All four suspects, who are between 42 to 48-years-old, are facing multiple charges including robbery with a weapon, aggravated assault on a peace officer and assault with a weapon.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 23, 2023.