Man faces dozens of charges after violent armed carjackings in Toronto, Mississauga

A 29-year-old man is facing more than a dozen charges, with the potential for more, after two brazen armed carjacking incidents in the GTA this week, police say.

In a news release issued Thursday, Toronto police said officers responded to a shooting call in the area of ​​Dundas Street E. and River Street on Wednesday around 7:30 p.m.

Investigators say a man was walking on the roadway when he pulled out a gun and tried to open the door of a vehicle stopped at a red light.

The man shot the driver, causing serious injuries, investigators say. He then approached another vehicle and tried to open the door again before firing his gun, narrowly missing the driver, the news release said.

The suspect then approached two more vehicles and tried unsuccessfully to open their doors before going to a fifth vehicle and pointing his gun at the driver, the news release said.

That person got out of his vehicle and the man drove it away from the area before pulling into a parking lot near Lake Shore Boulevard E. and Carlaw Avenue, police say. He then got out, pulled out his gun, approached another vehicle again and demanded the keys.

Man arrested, gun found: police

Officers arrived on the scene and after a high-speed foot chase, the man was found a short distance away and arrested. Police say they found a loaded gun at the time.

The suspect, who has no fixed address, is now facing more than a dozen charges related to Wednesday night’s incident, including multiple attempted murders, robbery with a firearm, theft of a motor vehicle with violence and failure to comply with law. conditions of his probation. He appeared briefly in court via video link on Thursday morning and will have a bail hearing on Friday.

Court documents show the man allegedly violated the terms of his probation in May this year, after previously being charged with theft and fraud in 2021.

Premier Doug Ford commented on the arrest Thursday at an unrelated event, saying more needs to be done to keep violent offenders behind bars — even though data shows the vast majority of Ontario prisons are. already operating at or above capacityand that also applies to most criminal cases in the province ends now before costs are tested in a lawsuit.

“It’s the most ridiculous thing,” Ford said of the latest carjacking arrest.

“We need tough judges and tough justices of the peace when it comes to crime. People are tired of it.”

Duty Insp. Steve Campoli of Toronto police described the suspect in the case as a “dangerous individual” when he spoke to reporters Wednesday evening.

“We are still working on establishing a full timeline. However, what is critical to know is this: the suspect is in custody and there is no further threat to public safety,” he said.

Toronto Duty Insp. Steve Campoli speaks to reporters Wednesday after police arrested a man who allegedly shot at vehicles on Highway 401 Tuesday. (CBC)

Same man linked to 401 carjacking

The arrest comes a day after the same man, police say, opened fire several passing vehicles on Highway 401 in Mississauga. They said more than 10 vehicles were shot at in the eastbound lanes near Dixie Road.

Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said the man also allegedly stole a vehicle in that incident. No one was seriously injured, they said.

OPP officials told CBC News Thursday morning that the preliminary charges against the suspect, for which officers have obtained an arrest warrant, include attempted murder with a firearm, multiple robberies with a firearm, possession of a firearm contrary to a prohibition order and shooting of a firearm. on purpose.

While the investigation is ongoing, officials may amend or add to these charges, the OPP official said.

OPP Duty Insp. Sean Chatland thanked the public for providing numerous tips and dashboard camera footage that helped the investigation.

“This investigation has been complex and evolving, ultimately resulting in a victim being hospitalized and a suspect arrested. Our thoughts are with the victim and their family at this time,” Chatland said.