Durham Regional Police have charged two brothers in connection to a series of violent carjackings and robberies in Ajax, Ont.
Police responded to a call on Tuesday around 4:20 a.m. concerning a robbery near the Ajax Downs Casino.
Police said two suspects robbed a taxi driver and fled the scene. Officers managed to locate the suspects a short time later.
“After that incident took place, we fingerprinted these individuals and different fingerprints tied back to several of the other incidents that had taken place earlier during this crime spree,” Det. Sgt. Ryan Connolly told reporters at a press conference in Ajax Friday morning.
READ MORE: Police searching for suspects after series of 7 carjackings, robberies in Ajax
Police said there have been seven carjacking incidents reported in the area between Oct. 12 to Nov. 18.
In November, a 56-year-old man was getting into his car at his home in Ajax when he was approached by two men.
Police said the suspects hit the victim with a handgun and punched him in the head when he refused to hand over his wallet.
“We hadn’t seen a crime spree like this in Ajax ever before, especially with the degree of violence that was used which was quite shocking,” said Connelly.
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In other incidents, police said the victims were forced to drive to a bank and withdraw some cash before the suspects let them out of the car and drive off.
In another case, a woman was robbed of her cellphone and cash on Sept. 13 near the Ajax GO station.
The two suspects have been identified as 24-year-old Trenell Ottley and his 21-year-old brother Trevell Ottley.
Both face a total of 66 charges including kidnapping, robbery, disguise with intent, theft of a motor vehicle and assault cause bodily harm.
Police said a search warrant was executed on Nov. 28 and a fake handgun was seized.
“These carjackings were random in nature, threat of violence and happening in a fairly restricted geographical area over a short period of time, I think caused a lot of fear and concern in our community,” Ajax Mayor Steve Parish said.
“The very randomness of them made everyone feel insecure and unsafe. So on behalf of council and staff and our citizens, I want to thank to Chief Martin and his team at Durham Regional Police Service.”
Anyone with new information about this investigation is asked to contact Det. Carter of the West Division Criminal Investigations Bureau at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 2562 or Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
VIDEO: String of car-jacking and ATM robberies put Durham residents on edge