Suspect turns self in after cop dragged by vehicle in Orleans

Ottawa police say a 24-year-old man has turned himself in after a vehicle dragged an officer during an incident in Orléans.

Emergency crews responded to a call shortly after 7 p.m. Friday on Brian Coburn Boulevard, between Tenth Line Road and Strasbourg Street.

In a tweet, the Ottawa police duty inspector said police were investigating a hit-and-run collision during a traffic stop that left the officer with non-life threatening injuries.

In a media release on Saturday, police said the accused assaulted police officers, fled in an SUV while dragging an officer and, "struck several other vehicles while fleeing the scene at a very high rate of speed."

Residents in the area are shocked at what happened in the neighbourhood.

"I find it absolutely astonishing that anybody would drag anybody," said Paul Kovacs.

"It was pretty scary, actually," said Althea House.  "I saw all the activity and everything was cordoned off and I didn't stop or bother with anything because obviously something serious was going on."

A warrant was issued for Mohamad Al-Bahili, who is facing charges of assault, assaulting a peace officer – endangering life, assaulting a peace officer with a weapon, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and failing to stop after an accident. Ottawa police said on Wednesday he had turned himself in.

"This is as scary as it gets without running somebody over totally," former OPP Commissioner Chris Lewis said Saturday afternoon. "To be dragging them like that, we have had officers killed like that over the years."

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Ottawa Police Service East Investigations Unit at 613-236-1222, ext. 3566.