Charges have been laid after police say someone deliberately drove towards a parking enforcement officer in downtown Toronto.

The incident took place just before noon on Tuesday in the area of Yonge and Hayden streets, near Bloor Streets.

According to investigators, a parking enforcement officer was patrolling an area and a vehicle was deliberately driven towards them.

“The officer was forced to move to avoid being struck,” police said in a news release issued Thursday.

The officer called police and the driver involved fled the scene.

Later in the day a 26-year-old from Hamilton turned himself into police. Radak Dirda has been charged with assault with a weapon and dangerous operation of a conveyance in connection with the incident.

The charges have not been proven in court.