Local man facing charges after attempted vehicle theft outside Loblaws

Editorial note: This article has been updated since being originally published at 11:58 a.m. on Tuesday, Jul. 25, 2023. Please see bottom of article for updated information.

A dramatic scene unfolded at the Loblaws store at 1100 Princess Street on Monday night when a local man attempted to rob a woman of her vehicle at knifepoint and fled from police at the scene.

Kingstonist sent inquiries to Kingston Police just after the incident occurred on Monday night, but no response was received until a media release was issued late in the morning of Tuesday, Jul. 25, 2023.

According to Kingston Police, at approximately 8:30 p.m. on Monday, Jul. 24, 2023, a male was observed inside the Loblaws grocery store holding a knife and bleeding. His wounds were later found to be self-inflicted, police noted.

“As the accused exited the store he approached a woman in the parking lot and attempted to take her vehicle while still holding the knife,” police said. “He was unsuccessful and instead fled on foot towards the intersection of Princess St and Sir John A. Macdonald Blvd.”

Police were called and uniform patrol officers quickly arrived on scene, locating the male at the intersection. According to police, the accused began gesturing with the knife toward officers, who drew their firearms and issued commands, which the male ignored and turned to flee on foot.

Officers pursued the accused to the parking lot of the Strata Centre, the former Peachtree Plaza, located at 1187 Princess St, where a conducted energy weapon, commonly known as a Taser, was effectively deployed, causing the man to drop the knife. Police said that the accused continued to resist arrest while being handcuffed, with two officers receiving minor injuries, as well as coming into contact with the man’s blood from his prior self-inflicted wounds.

First aid was rendered to the accused while waiting for paramedics to attend, who transported the man to hospital to receive treatment for his wounds. Kingston Police stated that upon his medical release, the accused will face charges of robbery, weapons dangerous, and resisting arrest.

Kingstonist has made further inquiries to confirm that the female victim was not injured, and ask why police are not identifying the accused.

Update (Tuesday, Jul. 25, 2023, at 4:30 p.m.):
Despite the rumours on social media during the incident, Kingston Police have now confirmed that there was no stabbing involved in the events that occurred at the Kingston Centre Loblaws and the Strata Centre on the night of Monday, Jul. 24, 2023. The only person who was injured was the accused man, and those injuries were self-inflicted.
With regard to identifying the suspect, Sgt. Steve Koopman said that Kingston Police usually do not release the name of an accused individual unless it is a public safety matter.