Monday, August 29, 2011

Serial bank robber strikes again: police

Toronto police say a man wanted in connection with a string of bank robberies has struck an additional five times over the last two weeks.

The man, who police believe is responsible for a total of 13 separate robberies since May, is described as 5'6"- 5'9" and between the ages of 23 and 33.

Police say he enters banks, indicates he is in possession of a handgun and demands money from tellers.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at (416) 808-7350 or Crime Stoppers at (416) 222-TIPS (8477).

Streetcar collides with vehicle

A 67-year-old female driver was briefly trapped inside her car after being hit by a TTC streetcar on St Clair Avenue at Warren Road this afternoon.

The incident happened around 3 p.m. when the driver lost control of the vehicle and struck a median.

The streetcar then collided with the vehicle, ending up off the track in the process.

According to police the woman was transported to hospital around 3:30 and is conscious and breathing.

There is no streetcar service from St. Clair to St. Clair West as a result. Shuttle buses are running.St. Clair Avenue is also closed to vehicles from Yonge St. to Russel Hill Road.

Bowmanville restaurant goes up in flames

Firefighters are battling a blaze that has destroyed a restaurant in Bowmanville.

Fire crews were called to Double Dragon Delights, located at 109 King St. W., shortly after noon.

They battled the blaze from a defensive position, as smoke billowed into the sky and flames shot several metres into the air. Firefighters used two aerial ladder trucks to douse the flames from above.

Clarington fire Chief Gord Weir told CP24 that it appears the fire started in the building's roof, which has collapsed.

A driver training school located at the back of the building was evacuated.

Investigators are looking into a report of an explosion inside the building.

No injuries have been reported.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. A damage estimate wasn't available.

Firefighters battle rooftop blaze

Wellington Street has reopened between Spadina Avenue and Portland Street following a fire atop a residential building.

Fire crews were called at about 8:20 a.m.

Police said the 10-storey building is under construction.

Black smoke was seen pouring from the building's roof.

No injuries have been reported.

The fire's cause is under investigation.