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
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Biscuits with possible plastic pieces, metal found in ground pork: Here are the recalls for this week
Here are the latest recalls Canadians should watch out for, according to Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Local MP, MLA call on federal government to remove sunken vessel in Saint John River
An MP and an MLA are calling for the removal of a sunken vessel in the Saint John River.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.