Ontario woman asks driver for cigarette in North York, carjacks him at gunpoint: police
Toronto police have laid charges against an Ontario woman after her request for a cigarette turned into an alleged armed carjacking.
It happened on Oct. 17 in North York near Wilson Avenue and Ridge Road, police said in a news release issued Friday.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
At that time, police said, a man was driving his vehicle in the area when he was flagged down by a woman who asked him for a cigarette.
Police said the woman got into the vehicle and the man drove to a parking lot. The man then got out of his vehicle and when he returned he saw the woman sitting in the driver’s seat allegedly holding a knife.
When the man unsuccessfully tried to get the woman out of his vehicle, she brandished a handgun, police said.
The man then backed away and the woman was able to flee the area in the vehicle.
Investigators were able to identify the woman and after efforts to locate her were unsuccessful, a warrant was issued for her arrest, police said.
On Thursday, and with the assistance of the Chatham-Kent Police Service, Gimena Ayala, 24, of Barrie, was located and taken into custody.
She’s charged with robbery with firearm, robbery with offensive weapon, and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.
Ayala was scheduled to appear in a Toronto courtroom earlier today.
Police said they were able to recover the stolen vehicle.
Police are asking anyone with information related to then investigation to contact them or Crime Stoppers.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels will take the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
BREAKING Sheldon Keefe out as head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Bank of Canada says financial system is stable, but risks remain
The Bank of Canada says the Canadian financial system is stable, but risks remain due to debt servicing costs among households and businesses and stretched valuations of financial assets.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Torchbearers in Marseille kick off the Olympic flame's journey across France
Torchbearers carried the Olympic flame through the streets of France's southern port city of Marseille on Thursday, a day after it arrived on a majestic three-mast ship for a welcoming ceremony.
Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Court to hear about search for remains as Winnipeg murder trial enters second day
A courtroom in Winnipeg is expected to hear testimony today about the search for the remains of the four victims of Jeremy Skibicki.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.