Between June and September, with major case management oversight by the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB), members of Highway Safety Division (HSD) conducted Project SADDLE supported by members of the OPP-led Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau, Provincial Operations Intelligence Bureau, OPP Aviation Services and frontline officers. On 20 occasions, police disrupted dangerous riding activity on busy, major highways, including the Gardiner Expressway and the Don Valley Parkway. Dozens of riders on ‘sport bikes’ actively participated in numerous coordinated stunts that purposefully snarled traffic and put the lives of participants and the safety of other road users and pedestrians in jeopardy. The incidents were captured by participants on video and self-posted publicly to various social media channels. Public response to a request for information is credited with identifying some participants at an August 6th, 2017 incident.Police noted these stunts occurred during a period when carnage involving motorcycles was particularly high and the subject of repeated road safety warnings. The same sub-culture of riders has been known to refuse to stop and have swarmed police officers in a threatening manner on several occasions.
Ten (10) people are facing a total of 35 Criminal Code charges. These offences include Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle, Conspiracy to Commit the Indictable Offence of Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle, Mischief, Conspiracy to Commit the Indictable Offence of Mischief, and Flight While Pursued by a Peace Officer. Five (5) motorcycles were seized as Offence Related Property. Six charges were laid for offences contrary to the Controlled Drug and Substances Act.
In addition, these ten (10) people and others face a total of seven (7) charges under Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act including Driving While Suspended, No Licence Plates, Plates Not Visible, Improper Helmets, and Improper Permits and Equipment.
