Toronto Police Recover Carjacked High-End Vehicles and Guns

Published: 1:41 PM April 16, 2024

Two high-end stolen vehicles have been recovered and three handguns seized by police in the city's west end.

On April 6, suspects robbed a man of his blue BMW X5 vehicle in the Ellesmere Rd. and Kennedy Rd. area.

As the victim exited his vehicle, a white SUV pulled up behind him. Three masked male suspects, dressed in black and armed with a firearm, demanded his car keys. Five days later, another resident was filling up his Lamborghini Urus at a gas station in the Yonge St. and Sheppard Ave. area when a grey sedan approached.

Four male suspects exited the vehicle, assaulted the victim and took his keys. The victim was repeatedly assaulted and run over by his own vehicle as the suspects fled.

He suffered serious injuries and was taken to hospital.

On April 12, 31 Division officers were patrolling on Islington Avenue near Steeles Avenue W. when their Automatic License Plate Reader alerted them to a stolen Lamborghini they had just passed.

Officers followed the vehicle to a parking lot on Barmac Drive where the driver parked it and entered an establishment.

While conducting surveillance on the Lamborghini, officers observed a BMW X5 arriving at the same establishment. They quickly confirmed it was the same BMW stolen on April 6.

When the driver and occupants of the BMW exited the establishment and tried to leave in the stolen vehicle, officers moved in to make arrests.

To evade police, the driver recklessly reversed up a hill, smashing into police vehicles and narrowly avoiding officers.

Even when boxed in by police vehicles, the driver refused to comply with officers' demands and again attempted to flee.

Police were forced to smash the windows and Taser the driver before finally removing the suspects from the vehicle by force to execute arrests.

More than $18,000 in Canadian currency and three handguns are seized in the arrests

They had more than $18,000 in Canadian currency and three handguns, one of which had an extended magazine and full automatic switch.

"The individuals committing these crimes are violent and not deterred at the thought of being arrested," said Acting Superintendent Susan Gomes at a news conference at police headquarters on April 16. "I want to thank officers from 31 Division, with support from the Hold Up Squad, for their outstanding work and the ongoing dedication by our officers on this critical issue."

Superintendent Andy Singh concurred that the criminals are violent and pose a grave threat to residents and officers.

"I am both proud of the bravery and professionalism displayed by our officers during these arrests and deeply alarmed by the potential outcomes of these dangerous encounters," noted the 31 Division Unit Commander.

"These arrests serve as a reminder that we take these crimes seriously and remain steadfast in our commitment to ensure the safety and well-being of our residents above all else."

Inspector Joe Matys of the Hold Up Squad said the trauma inflicted on victims cannot be overstated.

"Being threatened with a gun can have long-term impacts on one's sense of safety and well-being, let alone experiencing physical violence and sustaining serious injuries," he pointed out. "This is why it is imperative that we continue working closely with our law enforcement partners to address these crimes and bring those responsible to justice."

So far in 2024, there have been 97 carjackings in Toronto. As this time last year, it was 46. Mehkash Sohal, Daquon Green and a 17-year-old youth face 54 charges.

They are in custody and the investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-3100, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at www.222tips.com.

Share (opens in new window)

Tags

carjacking