Toronto police say two children were found safe after the vehicle they were in was stolen by two teens while the children’s mother was loading her car with groceries on Thursday afternoon.
Police said the incident happened near Weston Road and Lawrence Avenue at around 3:40 p.m.
Insp. Keri Fernandes said a woman was loading her car with groceries when “she turned her back” and her vehicle was stolen with her two children inside.
The two children were ages 4 and 7-months old, police said.
Investigators said a 13-year-old suspect had jumped into the vehicle which was running and drove away picking up another teenager a short distance away.
An officer spotted the vehicle and managed to stop it and then chased the suspects by foot, police said.
A 13-year-old boy was arrested first, police said. Shortly after, a 16-year-old boy was found and arrested.
The children were found safe, police said, though one of them had minor injuries and had to be taken to hospital where they were treated and released.
Police said the children were reunited with their mother.
“It is fortunate that both of these children were recovered safe and sound,” Fernandes said.
In an update, police said the teens are facing several charges including theft of a motor vehicle, abducting a person under 16 years old, possession of property obtained by crime and other driving-related charges.
The 16-year-old boy was also charged in relation to an outstanding warrant for robbery and possession of property obtained by crime.
Comments