 Niagara Regional Police report a male drove his pick-up truck into the front doors of the Fallsview Casino at about 2 a.m., following a series of incidents in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2009. (QMI/Mike DiBattista)
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NIAGARA FALLS, Ont. - A police pursuit through Niagara Falls, Ont., early Tuesday morning ended when a man crashed his truck through the front entrance of Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort.
The truck came to a stop a short distance from the gaming floor. Police say no patrons were injured.
"Thank God it wasn't a Friday night," said Niagara Regional Police Staff Sgt. Shawn Clarkson. "We were extremely fortunate there were not more people were around. A couple of people had to duck out of the way, but we could have had some real serious problems there if it had been a few hours earlier or another day."
Niagara Regional Police say the man had been involved in a dispute at a residence in Niagara Falls in which a male and a female were assaulted with a weapon before he sped off in his vehicle.
He then attended another residence in the city where he apparently collided with a vehicle in the driveway. The man then fled that residence in his truck.
Police attempted to stop the vehicle as the man drove through the city, but he continued driving. The pursuit ended when the man intentionally drove into the front entrance of the casino at about 2 a.m.
With guns drawn, police took the suspect into custody without incident. The male was taken to the Greater Niagara General Hospital for treatment of his injuries.
Harold Howard, 51, of Niagara Falls, is charged with two counts of attempted murder, two counts of assault with a weapon, attempted break and enter, fail to remain, flight from police, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, mischief and two counts of breach of recognizance.
Howard is a well-known martial artist in the city.
The male and female victims of the initial assault were taken to hospital and were being treated for serious but non life-threatening injuries.
Police said the victims and accused are known to each other.
