Two guns and two stolen vehicles were recovered as officers arrested carjacking suspects in takedowns that were captured on video, York Regional Police say.
Police said in a release that on Saturday just before midnight, officers received a report of an attempted carjacking in the Mistysugar Trail and Thornhill Woods Drive area of Vaughan, just north of Highway 407.
The victim told police that a male suspect had pointed a gun at her and tried to take her car, but the suspect fled when approached by the victim’s husband, the release said.
No injuries were reported and the vehicle wasn’t taken.
Then at around 12:30 a.m. Sunday, police responded to a carjacking in the Fairburn Drive and Highway 7 East area of Markham, which is just east of Woodbine Avenue.
Police said a victim called to report that his Mercedes was stolen at gunpoint by a male suspect.
York police’s Air2 chopper located suspects; officers on the ground arrested one and recovered the stolen Mercedes, police said.
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A loaded handgun was also allegedly found near the scene.
Then on Tuesday, “through investigation” officers located a second outstanding suspect in a stolen Jaguar Pace in Toronto.
“With the assistance of Emergency Response Unit, Canine Unit and Air2, the driver and passenger were arrested,” police said.
“As the driver exited the vehicle, a firearm fell from his lap.”
York police released video from their Air2 chopper showing both dramatic takedowns.
An 18-year-old man and a male youth, from Toronto, have been charged with a number of offences including two counts of robbery with a firearm, two counts of disguise with intent, possession of a loaded restricted firearm, dangerous operation and flight from police.
A second male youth from Toronto has been charged with conspiracy to commit robbery, unauthorized possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle, and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.
“The adult accused was already on bail for unrelated charges and on a firearms prohibition at the time of these offences,” police noted.
Victim speaks out
In an interview with Global News, the man said he and his wife were getting dinner after seeing a movie when they were carjacked.
The man – who Global News has agreed not to identify due to safety concerns – said he and his wife had ordered dinner and went back to the car to wait for their food when a dark Jaguar pulled up beside them, parking very close.
He said he opened his door, and the suspect did too, pinning him to his vehicle.
“My wife starts panicking, and he’s shouting ‘give me the keys!’” he said. “It took me 30 seconds to recognize he has a gun.”
The man said the suspect pointed the gun at his stomach and demanded the keys.
He said the suspect told another person to take his wife’s keys and wallet.
Their vehicle was ultimately taken. The man said it was less than two months old.
Thankfully, the man said he was able to track it on his phone, and said police arrived at the scene quickly and were able to locate it.
The man said he is “glad” no one was hurt.
“Our time is not done yet, god has a plan for us,” he said.
He said he is “very upset” that the incident occurred.
“But on the other hand, we have to give big credit and a big hand to our law enforcement,” he said.
However, he said there needs to be some kind of bail reform.
“You have to think about it, those kids – 17 or 18 years old – they do it eight times, 10 times, and get out on bail? What’s going on? What kind of safety is that?”
He said hearing that one of the suspects was out on a release order is a “big problem.”
“That’s a big problem for me, I’m not happy with that.”
The man said he is now waiting to hear back from his insurance company about the vehicle, but said he’s not sure how he feels about driving it.
“I’m very superstitious now about this car,” he said.
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