75-year-old robbed, then hit by bus

A 75-year-old man is in serious but stable condition in hospital after being struck by a TTC bus while chasing a man who had just robbed him across Dufferin Street.

The suspect, a 29-year-old Toronto man, is facing four charges in relation to this and a September robbery of another elderly man.

Staff-Sgt. Suzanne Pinto of 13 Division said the investigation began with a 75-year-old man being struck by a TTC bus on Dufferin just south of St. Clair Avenue West on the afternoon of Oct. 31.

“On the face of it, it appeared like a simple (pedestrian struck) accident, but we don’t know why he walked out in front of a bus,” she said. “But upon further investigation and watching video evidence, we were able to determine the male was actually robbed beforehand by an accused who approached him.”

Pinto said the suspect asked the victim for change, then grabbed the man’s wallet and ran off. The victim chased the suspect across Dufferin Street, going from the west side to the east side, and was struck by a northbound bus in the easternmost lane. The man nearly made it across the street.

“Literally, it must have been inches,” Pinto said.

The victim suffered traumatic head injuries and was rushed to hospital in life-threatening condition. His condition was later upgraded.

The accused, Pinto said, continued running.

She said police then identified a suspect and made a quick arrest.

Police were also able to connect the accused to a robbery that had occurred on Sept. 26 near Eglinton Avenue West and Marlee Avenue.

“An elderly male, approximately 90 years of age, was withdrawing money from a bank machine and was approached by the accused asking for change,” Pinto said. “The accused was given a dollar and then subsequently followed the elderly male several blocks, and pushed him to the ground and stole his cash.”

Idirisa Jallow has been charged with two counts of robbery and two counts of failing to comply with probation. Pinto said he is known to police as an aggressive panhandler and that he suffers from both mental health and addiction issues. The investigation is ongoing.

“We are canvassing for possible other victims, especially elderly victims in the neighbourhood,” Pinto said.