3 arrested, including teen, after 'brazen' Toronto carjackings

Three people, including a 17-year-old, are facing charges in connection with two carjackings in the city that happened last week, Toronto police say.

Officers made the arrests on Friday evening after identifying two stolen cars around Islington Avenue and Steeles Avenue West, according to a police news release issued on Tuesday.

The officers determined the cars — a blue BMW X5 and white Lamborghini Urus — were stolen using an automatic license plate reader, said Supt. Andy Singh during a news conference on Tuesday.

A 21-year-old from Mississauga, a 19-year-old from Oakville and a 17-year-old from Oshawa were arrested on Friday, according to the news release. They face a total of 54 charges.

The three accused were entering the BMW when officers attempted to make the arrest, Singh said. The driver then "recklessly reversed up a hill" and hit a police car in an attempt to avoid arrest, he said.

Singh said the driver showed "nothing short of absolute disregard of any lives" while trying to get away.

Over $18,000 and three loaded handguns were also seized, police said. The group did not draw their guns at officers but the weapons were "readily accessible," Singh said.

The BMW was initially carjacked on April 6 in the Ellesmere and Kennedy road area, according to police. The victim was in a parking lot when three male suspects demanded the car keys.

One suspect pointed a firearm at the victim, who was unhurt, police said.

The Lamborghini, meanwhile, was stolen on April 11 at a gas station in the Yonge Street and Sheppard Avenue area, police said. In that instance, four male suspects repeatedly assaulted a victim before taking their keys.

During the news conference, Singh said the victim was run over by his own car as the suspects fled. The victim was taken to hospital with serious, non-life threatening injuries.

Toronto police inspector Joseph Matys called the carjackings "very brazen," as the suspects had remained in Toronto with both stolen cars for a week after the carjackings.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police or leave an anonymous tip with Crimestoppers.