Police confirm hostage call was a hoax
Toronto police released security images Monday of a suspect they said falsely reported an armed hostagetaking on King St. last week, causing traffic chaos and confusion for three hours.
The call came in to police at 1 p.m. on Oct. 26, prompting officers — including the Emergency Task Force — to surround the 365 Dispensary and the Underground Garage at the southwest corner of King St. W. and Blue Jays Way.
Traffic and TTC routes along King St. were halted as emergency responders stood by.
When investigators made their way into the building, they found it empty. At the time, they were unsure if the call was fake or if a hostage-taker had managed to escape.
In a press release issued Monday morning, police confirmed the call was a hoax, saying it came from a pay phone near Spadina Ave. and Cecil St.
The suspect is described as a man with a dark complexion and medium build, between five feet, 10 inches tall and six feet two inches. He’s likely between 25 and 35 years of age, said police.
Police also said the suspect wore glasses, a green camouflage jacket, black pants, black shoes, a black backpack and a black baseball cap. He rode a black, vintage-style bicycle with a black mudguard and wooden rack on the rear.
Investigators are asking anyone with information to contact police at 416-808-5200, or anonymously through Crime Stoppers.