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 air defence batteries in provinces as sound of explosions heard near Isfahan
Iran fired air defence batteries early Friday morning after reports of explosions near the city of Isfahan, the state-run IRNA news agency reported.
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.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
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.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
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.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.