Male Armed with Shotgun Arrested After Making Threats in Oshawa

A male is in custody after he made threats with a shotgun outside a residence in Oshawa.

On Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at approximately 12:50 p.m., members of Central West Division responded to an armed person call in the area of Thornton Road North and Winchester Road West.  A male made threats with a shotgun toward three other males who attended the property to enforce an eviction.  The three victims exited the property and contacted police. 

Officers arrived on scene and located the suspect barricaded inside of his residence.  Police set up containment and closed the roadways as they negotiated with the male.  After lengthy negotiations, the suspect safely surrendered himself to police and was taken into custody without incident.  A shotgun, rifle, and ammunition were seized following a search of the residence.

The victims did not sustain any physical injuries.

Steven Rejean COTE, age 64 of Whitby is charged with: Possess Firearm – No licence x9, Careless Use of a Firearm x2, Possession of a Firearm with Ammunition x2, Possession of a Prohibited Device x2, Utter Threats, and Assault with a Weapon.

He was held for a bail hearing.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Det. Gerrits of the Central West Division Criminal Investigations Branch at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 1832.

Anonymous information can be sent to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca and tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward.

The information in this media release contains facts and circumstances that have been obtained from a police investigation.  These allegations have yet to be proven in court. 

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