Police search for fugitive who allegedly shot woman, stole police cruiser in Peel

Peel Regional Police are trying to find a man who allegedly shot a woman in Mississauga Tuesday afternoon before fighting with officers, having a Taser fired at him, being shot at, and stealing two cars — including a police cruiser.

Investigators have identified the suspect as 31-year-old Michael Cleghorn, of no fixed address. Cleghorn is also wanted on murder charges in Thunder Bay.

Police were called to the area of White Clover Way and Mavis Road at 2:38 p.m., where a fight had broken out between a the man and a woman, before shots rang out.

Officers arrived to find the woman suffering gunshot wounds. She was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, police say.

Police say Cleghorn took off through a nearby park, where police officers tried to subdue him, said Const. Sarah Patten.

“The male then got into a police cruiser and attempted to flee, at which time the officers tried to subdue him, and they were unsuccessful,” she said. “There was an attempt to Taser the man in an attempt to stop him from taking the cruiser. But I don’t know if he was hit.”

Patten said she “believes” an officer fired shots at the car as the man was driving away. Photos from the scene show what appears to be blood and bullet holes on the door of the police car.

The stolen police cruiser was found a short distance away, Patten said — but then the man allegedly stole another car, a white 2013 Hyundai Sante Fe SUV with the license plate AYVL 950.

Cleghorn is still at large, police say. It’s possible he sought medical treatment, they add.

Cleghorn  is described as having a medium complexion, 6’2″ and 180 lbs. Police say he should not be approached and should be considered armed and dangerous.

The Special Investigations Unit (SIU), Ontario’s police watchdog, is now investigating and says “evidence in the cruiser indicates the man may have sustained an injury.”

Two investigators and two forensic investigators have been assigned to the incident, said SIU spokesperson Monica Hudon.

Jasmine Johnson, who lives in the area, said she heard a loud bang Tuesday afternoon. She came outside to see a crowd gathering at the scene.

“This is a very quiet neighbourhood. We’ve never had anything like this,” she said.

“I’ve lived here 17 years now, and nothing like this ever happened here.”

The SIU investigates whenever death, injury or allegations of sexual assault arise in incidents involving police.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529.