Drugs may have played a role in an early morning crime spree Tuesday May 14, 2019.

Police say that just after 6:00 am the suspect approached a man walking along Notre Dame Avenue near Winnipeg Avenue West and knocked his coffee out of his hands without provocation.

The suspect then went into a nearby restaurant, hopped the counter and demanded the use of a phone. As staff tried to flee the suspect grabbed a female employee. He was given a phone to use then stole it before grabbing a pot of hot tea and throwing it towards a customer. Several staff members jumped out of the drive-thru window to flee suspect.

The suspect then left the restaurant and went to a gas bar in the Weston area. He stole a pack of cigarettes and began smoking inside the store. He then started to vandalize the business and throw lit cigarettes at the female employee. Going outside the man then held a lit lighter up to a gasoline nozzle before returning to the store and stealing a drink.

The crime spree continued as the man then went to a nearby convenience store, demanded a phone and threatened to kill the male employee. Once again the suspect stole a pack of cigarettes and began smoking and pacing around the store.

Police arrived and had to use force to subdue the suspect. The male was taken to hospital because of his agitated state.

20–year-old Drew Matthew Towns is facing charges for his alleged involvement of Assault with a Weapon (x2), Robbery (x3), Mischief Under $5,000 (X2), Uttering Threats – Cause Bodily Harm and Uttering threats to Damage Property.

He was detained in custody.