Man arrested after forcing Toronto transit bus to take him to Tim Hortons

TORONTO – An Ontario man who allegedly forced a bus driver at knifepoint to take him to a local Tim Horton’s to report a suspected drug overdose is now facing multiple charges.

York Regional Police say Daniel Ferreira was arrested early on Friday morning shortly after what they describe as the hijacking of a Toronto Transit Commission bus.

Police say the 31-year-old Ferreira allegedly boarded the bus shortly after midnight and threatened the driver with a knife, forcing him to drive through red lights and bypass multiple stops.

They say he ultimately told the driver to let him off at a Tim Horton’s location, from which he phoned police to report that he believed he was suffering from a drug overdose.

Officers who arrived on the scene evacuated the coffee shop and arrested Ferreira without incident.

No one was hurt during the alleged hijacking, but a Toronto transit spokesman said the driver has been left shaken by what he called a “brazen crime.”

“The TTC is grateful our employee was not injured and thanks police for their quick action,” Brad Ross said in a statement, adding that counselling services would be available to the driver if needed.

Ferreira is now facing five charges including assault with a weapon, forcible confinement and uttering threats.