Toronto police make more arrests following rash of violent carjackings
Police have arrested two suspects and issued a warrant for two others as they continue to investigate a dramatic spike in carjackings in Toronto, with 182 incidents so far this year.
Toronto police made the announcement on Tuesday afternoon as they provided an update on their investigations into a rash of violent carjackings happening across the city.
- Download our app to get local alerts to your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
Police said there have been 182 carjackings so far this year compared to the 102 carjackings in 2021.
The latest arrests pertain to a number of carjackings which took place in August and September.
“Also today, 56 vehicles that have been stolen in these carjackings have been recovered. Many of these investigations are active and ongoing and we're working with police services across every jurisdiction to solve these crimes in a timely fashion,” Insp. Rich Harris from the Hold Up Squad said at the news conference at Toronto Police Headquarters.
Insp. Rich Harris speaks at Toronto Police headquarters on Oct. 4, 2022.
Harris said the carjackings are targeting both high-end and average vehicles for resale purposes and criminal activity.
“Any high-end vehicle, Mercedes, BMWs, we're seeing Porsche, Lamborghinis...And then when we're saying the not so high-end vehicles, we're seeing a lot of Hondas, we're seeing a lot of Toyotas, sedans. There's no rhyme or reason with respect to the lower-end vehicles,” Harris said.
Harris went on to announce that two more suspects have been identified in connection with two separate carjacking investigations in Scarborough and York Region this summer.
The first investigation involves multiple armed carjackings in Scarborough and York Region on Aug. 19, where a 15-year-old boy was arrested and charged last month.
In the second investigation, a person had their car stolen at knifepoint in the area Pharmacy Avenue and Sesame Street, on Sept. 10. Harris said a 17-year-old boy from Toronto, who was previously reported as 16 years old, has been arrested and charged in connection with this case.
In addition to those arrests, Harris said Valerie Torres-Lizcano, 18, of Toronto, is in custody and faces 14 charges, including robbery with firearm, disguise with intent and conspiracy to commit indictable offence.
Meanwhile, police have issued an arrest warrant for Jasmine Oung, 18, of York Region. She is wanted for robbery with an offensive weapon and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence.
Police have released an image of Oung and are urging her to contact a lawyer and turn herself into the nearest police station.
Jasmine Oung, 18, is wanted in connection with carjackings investigations in Toronto. (TPS Handout)
“This is where I'm seeking the public's assistance in locating her and again, we'd rather she get legal counsel and turn herself in as soon as possible,” Harris said.
Harris also identified today another suspect that has been arrested in connection with a different violent carjacking in Etobicoke.
On June 19, two men allegedly approached a woman and attempted to steal her vehicle at gunpoint.
In August, police identified one of the suspects as Toronto resident Hamzah Hussein, 18.
Police located and arrested Hussein on Sept. 30 and he faces 12 charges, including robbery with firearm, possess firearm With ammunition and possession Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking.
Officers also executed a search warrant at Hussein’s residence and say they seized a loaded handgun and a quantity of narcotics at the time of his arrest, and an additional quantity of narcotics and money while searching his residence.
In another carjacking investigation, Harris announced that a suspect is wanted for removing his ankle monitoring device.
On June 26, a man allegedly stole a motorcycle at gunpoint in the area of Islington Avenue and Millwick Drive.
Sameer Ejaz, 20, of Toronto, was subsequently arrested and faces 11 charges, including robbery with a firearm, weapons dangerous and carry concealed weapon.
Sameer Ejaz, 20 is wanted for allegedly removing his ankle monitoring device. (TPS Handout)
Ejaz was released on bail but police alleged he has removed his ankle monitoring device he has to wear as a condition of his release.
“And unfortunately he now has to explain why he cut his ankle bracelet off and that's why we're seeking the public's assistance in locating him and arresting him and putting him right back before the courts,” Harris said.
Ejaz is wanted for two counts of fail to comply with release order.
Anyone with information about any of the investigations is being asked to contact police at 416-808-7350 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477).
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Iran fires at apparent Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
An apparent Israeli drone attack on Iran saw troops fire air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan, an assault coming in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Ontario woman loses $15,000 to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Ottawa to force banks to call carbon rebate a carbon rebate in direct deposits
Canadian banks that refuse to identify the carbon rebate by name when doing direct deposits are forcing the government to change the law to make them do it, says Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.
DEVELOPING Israel targets air defence system in Syria, state news agency says
Israel carried out a missile strike targeting an air defence unit in southern Syria, causing material damage, state-run SANA news agency quoted a military statement as saying Friday.
Some Canadian families will receive up to $620 per child today
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.