By Sarah Del Giallo
News Editor
Two men were questioned after a stand off at Yonge and Gerrard Streets Tuesday morning.
Toronto police received an emergency call at approximately 6:50 a.m. on Jan. 11, 2011, from a citizen driving behind the two men. The caller reported seeing a firearm.
Police pulled over the dark grey Nissan Altima in front of local pizzeria Big Slice.
The standoff with the driver and passenger had surrounding streets closed for two hours.
Pedestrian and vehicle traffic was blocked on Yonge St. as far south as Dundas, and as far east on Gerrard as Church St.
Negotiators were called to the scene to coerce the men out of the car. The passenger exited first, followed later by the driver. Only the driver was taken into custody.
“They negotiated with the operator of the vehicle and after a period of time, they exited,” said Hugh Ferguson, superintendent of 52 division.
When the men were out of the car, investigators were able to search the vehicle, but found no firearms.
Police went on to conduct a foot search on Yonge St. in case a firearm was ditched, but nothing has been recovered.
Ferguson said that the standoff was “textbook” and was pleased that no force was needed.
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