Vaughan off-duty enforcement officer aids in Amber Alert incident, leading to arrest
Ryan Kay safely followed suspect vehicle described in Amber Alert Feb. 15, before OPP took over
Yorkregion.com
June 6, 2019
Aileen Zangouei
An off-duty enforcement officer for the City of Vaughan who aided in an Amber Alert was congratulated by Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua today at a city hall meeting.
“It gives me great pride to acknowledge the selfless actions of one of Vaughan’s very own enforcement officers,” Bevilacqua said about Ryan Kay.
Kay was off-duty and on his way home, travelling northbound on Highway 400 in the early morning hours of Feb. 15, when he spotted a vehicle matching the description of a car being sought by police.
An Amber Alert --a warning system enacted in cases of child abduction --had been issued earlier that early morning and prompted Kay to call 911 while continuing to safely follow the suspect vehicle until Ontario Provincial Police could take over.
Amber Alert decisions for child danger a 'very specific process': York police
“Ryan’s actions that day set an example from which everyone can learn. The choices we make and the actions we take, no matter how small they may seem on the surface, can make a difference,” Bevilacqua said.
The first alert was sent out just after 11:30 p.m. about the disappearance of an 11-year-old girl, Riya Rajkuma, who was believed to have been abducted by her father. The body of the little girl was later found at a Brampton residence, and her father was arrested a short time later by OPP in Orillia.
York Regional Police and Peel Regional Police reported that some citizens did call 911, not to report helpful information to the case, but to complain about receiving the alert. However, it was due to the Amber Alert the suspect vehicle was found, resulting in an arrest.
“Our city is fortunate to have people like Ryan who embody the values of community service through integrity, dedication and courage,” Bevilacqua said. “Ryan’s actions demonstrate how each of us can play an important part to help ensure our public safety, and I, once again, thank him for his service.”
