Video of brazen carjackings released by police north of Toronto
Police in York Region have released new video footage of a series of brazen carjackings as they warn drivers about a spike in violent incidents targeting luxury vehicles.
The compilation posted to social media on Monday shows four recent carjacking incidents, each using a slightly different approach.
In the first incident, the suspects appear to deliberately stage a collision in a busy intersection. One of them then gets out of their damaged car and flags down a vehicle the pair were targeting.
But instead of asking for help, the suspect forcefully pulls the driver out of the vehicle and then hops in and speeds away from the scene.
In another incident, two suspects are seen walking up a driveway as a victim parks their higher-end SUV in their garage. The suspects then grab the keys from the victim off camera and hop into the vehicle. Police say that the victim closed the garage door from the outside in an attempt to stop the thieves from getting away with his vehicle.
- Download our app to get local alerts to your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
However, seconds later the SUV is seen smashing through the garage door, reversing out of the driveway and speeding away down the street as the victim gives chase.
A third incident takes place at a gas station. In the footage a victim is shown getting out of their vehicle, presumably to fill it up. But within seconds they are approached by two hooded suspects who proceed to get into the vehicle and drive away.
The fourth and final incident takes place in a busy shopping mall parking lot. The footage shows the suspects following a vehicle into the lot in a white truck. One of them then gets out after the vehicle is parked and confronts the driver.
In a news release, York Regional Police said that carjacking incidents like the ones included in the compilation have more than doubled since 2019.
They said that while more than 65 per cent of the incidents were solved in 2022, drivers need to be aware that thieves are constantly changing their approaches.
“Officers have remained active and aggressive in efforts to combat these issues, including initiating several major projects which have led to hundreds of arrests, significant charges laid and hundreds of vehicles being recovered in the last year. Despite this success, thieves are constantly developing new methods to accomplish these crimes,” the release warns.
Police say that most stolen vehicles are taken from their owners’ driveway between midnight and 6 a.m.
But they say that carjacking incidents can take place in more public locations.
They are urging drivers to keep the following safety tips in mind given the rash of incidents:
- Trust your instincts and be aware of your surroundings
- If you suspect you are being followed, on the road or into your driveway, call 9-1-1.
- If you are approached by thieves, remain calm and comply. Don’t fight back. Call 9-1-1 as soon as possible
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.