Driver charged after allegedly ‘ramming’ police cruiser following Brampton traffic stop

Peel police say a man is facing charges after allegedly ramming a police cruiser while fleeing an attempted traffic stop.

A “prolific” dangerous driver is facing charges after allegedly reversing into a police cruiser while attempting to flee following a traffic stop in Brampton last week.

The incident happened on March 18, at around 11:45 a.m., near Bovaird and Sunforest drives.

Peel Regional Police say an Automated Licence Plate Reader (ALPR) got a hit on a vehicle connected to a prohibited driver. When officers tried to initiate a traffic stop, police say the driver fled from them “in a dangerous manner.”

The following morning, at around 8 a.m., police said officers saw the same vehicle in the area of Sunforest Drive and Wexford Road.

Police said they started to devise a plan to arrest the driver and they moved quickly to stop the vehicle when the suspect started to move.

Investigators shared footage on social media, which shows police cruisers moving to block the suspect vehicle.

“You see the lead car here block him in the front, and you actually see (the suspect) put it in reverse and ram the cruiser behind him. Bam,” Const. Tyler Bell said in the video.

The suspect vehicle’s passenger is then seen exiting the car before the footage jumps to clips of the driver leaving the car, while being instructed to get down on the roadway and put his hands behind his back.

Police arrested the driver and found that he was allegedly carrying a replica firearm.

Investigators learned that the driver was allegedly involved in three other incidents where he fled from police who were attempting to stop him for his observed offences.

“In each of those cases, while evading, his behaviour placed the public at significant risk,” Tuesday’s news release reads.

Police did not provide details about the other incidents.

Iqbal Dhatt, 34, of Brampton, has been charged with 13 offences, including two counts each of flight from police, dangerous operation, and fail to comply with release order. The charges have not been tested in court.

This investigation is ongoing and police anticipate further charges to be laid.

Canada Border Services Agency has also launched an immigration investigation.

Investigators are asking anyone with additional information to contact them or Crime Stoppers anonymously.