Carjacking suspects in Ajax arrested in Peterborough standoff

A carjacking in Ajax last week led to three suspects being arrested following a standoff in Peterborough’s west end on Friday.

Durham Region Police said on Wednesday night around 11:30 p.m. an Ajax man claimed he was robbed of his taxi by three suspects — one armed with two knives — after picking them up at a restaurant on Salem Road and Highway 2. Police found the cabbie walking near Monarch Avenue and Bayly Street.

The 52-year-old victim told police he had driven the man and two women to several locations, including police facilities in Whitby and Oshawa.

“The driver then dropped them off at the hospital in Ajax and this is when the male armed with two knives threatened the driver to hand over his vehicle,” Durham police said.

The suspect drove off in the Toyota Camry. The victim suffered minor injuries, police said.

On Friday, the vehicle was located around noon in the area of Stenson Boulevard in Peterborough. Durham police say the suspects fled from the vehicle into a nearby residence. They then barricaded themselves inside.

It led to a 13-hour marathon standoff with Peterborough police and its Emergency Response Team and the Durham Regional Police Tactical Unit, which lasted until 1 a.m.

Three people were taken into custody without incident and Durham police took over the case. On Monday they stated three people were facing charges.

Francis O’Connor, 32, of no fixed address, has been charged with robbery; weapons dangerous; threaten death and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000. He was held for a bail hearing.

Faye O’Connor, 62, of no fixed address and Janelle Smith, 26, of Stenson Blvd. in Peterborough, are both charged with possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000. They were released on a promise to appear.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact D/Cst. Stewart of Durham Region Police Service at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 1929.