EvanL
02-19-2004, 11:44 PM
U.S. carjacking ends in Canadian death
CANADIAN PRESS
NIAGARA FALLS, Ont. — A gun-toting American carjacker crashed through border barricades, killed a woman in a hit-and-run accident and fired at a police officer last night before a suspect was finally wrestled into submission.
It began around 3 p.m. after a woman walked into the Buffalo Police Department, claiming her boyfriend had pulled a gun on her during an argument and had been holding her hostage for days.
A short time later, a man stole a car in Buffalo, forcing the vehicle's driver into the trunk, Niagara Falls, N.Y. police said.
He then abandoned it after it broke down with a flat tire in a Niagara Falls parking lot.
He then forced a cable worker down from a telephone pole at gunpoint, taking his vehicle.
The carjacker then led police on a brief chase through city streets before heading for the border.
"Our officers picked up the vehicle heading into Canada about two blocks from the bridge," said Det. John Olander of Niagara Falls, N.Y., police.
"The stolen vehicle crashed through the barricades on the U.S. side of the Rainbow Bridge and crashed through the Canadian side of the Rainbow Bridge."
Brent Gallaugher, manager of security for the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission, said the driver just sped past the tollbooths, crashing through a gate.
"Our gate arm was broken and he continued to pass," Gallaugher said.
Less than 20 minutes later, the vehicle collided with two parked cars in downtown Niagara Falls, Ont.
The impact sent those vehicles careening into a 40-year-old Niagara Falls woman as she was getting out of her car, killing her, Niagara Regional Police said.
Darrell Lindsay said he saw the accident.
"I just pulled over and blocked the body.
"She was alive when we got there," Lindsay said, adding there was "so much blood on her."
Other witnesses said sparks were flying from the truck's undercarriage as it dragged along the street.
"All I heard was a pop. It sounded like a tire blew," said Charlene Crandall.
The pickup continued for three blocks before driving onto a snowbank and hitting a parking meter.
The driver then got out of the car and waved a gun at people on the street, telling them to stay away.
Const. Edward Bednarowski chased a man, who pulled out a loaded .22-calibre handgun and fired at the officer, missing him, police said.
Bednarowski and the man wrestled for the gun as other police and citizens jumped into the fray and subdued him.
Cornelieus Croft, 38, is charged with impaired driving causing death, attempted murder and several firearms offences.
CANADIAN PRESS
NIAGARA FALLS, Ont. — A gun-toting American carjacker crashed through border barricades, killed a woman in a hit-and-run accident and fired at a police officer last night before a suspect was finally wrestled into submission.
It began around 3 p.m. after a woman walked into the Buffalo Police Department, claiming her boyfriend had pulled a gun on her during an argument and had been holding her hostage for days.
A short time later, a man stole a car in Buffalo, forcing the vehicle's driver into the trunk, Niagara Falls, N.Y. police said.
He then abandoned it after it broke down with a flat tire in a Niagara Falls parking lot.
He then forced a cable worker down from a telephone pole at gunpoint, taking his vehicle.
The carjacker then led police on a brief chase through city streets before heading for the border.
"Our officers picked up the vehicle heading into Canada about two blocks from the bridge," said Det. John Olander of Niagara Falls, N.Y., police.
"The stolen vehicle crashed through the barricades on the U.S. side of the Rainbow Bridge and crashed through the Canadian side of the Rainbow Bridge."
Brent Gallaugher, manager of security for the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission, said the driver just sped past the tollbooths, crashing through a gate.
"Our gate arm was broken and he continued to pass," Gallaugher said.
Less than 20 minutes later, the vehicle collided with two parked cars in downtown Niagara Falls, Ont.
The impact sent those vehicles careening into a 40-year-old Niagara Falls woman as she was getting out of her car, killing her, Niagara Regional Police said.
Darrell Lindsay said he saw the accident.
"I just pulled over and blocked the body.
"She was alive when we got there," Lindsay said, adding there was "so much blood on her."
Other witnesses said sparks were flying from the truck's undercarriage as it dragged along the street.
"All I heard was a pop. It sounded like a tire blew," said Charlene Crandall.
The pickup continued for three blocks before driving onto a snowbank and hitting a parking meter.
The driver then got out of the car and waved a gun at people on the street, telling them to stay away.
Const. Edward Bednarowski chased a man, who pulled out a loaded .22-calibre handgun and fired at the officer, missing him, police said.
Bednarowski and the man wrestled for the gun as other police and citizens jumped into the fray and subdued him.
Cornelieus Croft, 38, is charged with impaired driving causing death, attempted murder and several firearms offences.