Police in Durham Region are searching for a 23-year-old man after a Tesla SUV struck two officers during an investigation in Oshawa. Durham Regional Police say the incident happened at around 1 a.m. on Sept. 22, when officers on proactive patrol spotted a separate vehicle travelling at a high rate of speed without its lights on near Simcoe Street North. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, which police have identified as an Acura sedan, but they say the driver fled. The Acura was later found abandoned in a residential driveway and the driver was located allegedly hiding in a backyard. The driver was allegedly under conditions prohibiting him from driving and requiring him to remain at his residence overnight. Police say officers also found a replica firearm and drugs inside that vehicle. As officers continued their investigation, they say a Tesla SUV then entered the area at a “high rate of speed.” Police say they attempted to speak with the driver of that vehicle after it stopped, but they then reversed the SUV, hitting two officers before fleeing. One officer was taken to hospital with serious, but non-life-threatening, injuries, while the second officer suffered minor injuries and also attended hospital. Investigators have identified the driver of the Tesla as 23-year-old Yaseen Waggan, of Ajax. He is wanted on several charges, including flight from a peace officer, dangerous operation of a conveyance, assault causing bodily harm, failing to identify himself to an officer and failing to remain, and two counts of failing to comply with a release order. Anyone with information on Waggan’s whereabouts is asked to contact Durham police or Crime Stoppers anonymously.
