Police arrest man who slammed car into church

The SIU has been called in after a 19-year-old man crashed his car into a church early Thursday.

Tactical officers and K9 units launched an intense search in the area near Davenport Road and Oakwood Avenue around 5:30 a.m. The suspect was apprehended around an hour later.

Jennifer Beer said she was woken by the commotion then shocked to find heavily armed officers focused on her house.

"I was shaking like a leaf," she said.

Beer said she stepped outside as officers searched her home, turning up nothing. Soon after, the suspect was discovered hiding under a nearby porch.

Police said the suspect crashed into the Galilee Presbyterian Church, at 1183 Davenport Rd., following a pursuit.

Police said they initially gave chase because the vehicle may be stolen. It's also possible the suspect is connected to a July 1 shooting incident, though police haven't officially made that connection.

The vehicle, a silver-coloured Nissan Maxima sedan, suffered serious damage in the collision, which also knocked down a streetlight.

The man was taken to Toronto Western Hospital where he was diagnosed with a fracture to his arm.

The SIU investigates all incidents involving police in which death or serious injury occur, or when allegations of sexual assault are raised.