Armed home invasion in north Etobicoke: two arrested, two suspects still at large
Two Toronto men face kidnapping and firearms charges after an armed home invasion in Rexdale. Police are still seeking two additional suspects.
Armed kidnapping and home invasion in Rexdale leaves three victims; police seek two outstanding suspects
Two Toronto men have been charged with kidnapping, robbery, and firearms-related offences following an armed home invasion in the Rexdale area of north Etobicoke, CP24 reports.
According to Toronto police, the incident began just after 12:45 a.m. on Wednesday when officers were called to a residence near Martin Grove Road and John Garland Boulevard after reports of a person with a gun.
Investigators say a male arrived at the home in a red Honda Civic late Tuesday night. Shortly after, four suspects pulled up to the property in a separate vehicle. Three of them approached the initial victim while a fourth produced a handgun. The victim was then forced into the back of his own car and driven away, with the suspects' vehicle following closely behind.
For approximately one hour, police say, the suspects drove around the area "holding the victim at gun-point while making demands" before returning to the original address.
Inspector Kristy Smith, of the Toronto Police Service's Hold Up Squad, explained the reasoning behind the delay at a news conference Thursday afternoon. "When the victim first pulled up to the home, the homeowner was not home at the time. They were buying time for the homeowner to return home," she said.
Once the homeowner arrived, investigators say, the suspects forced both the initial victim and the homeowner into the residence. A third person — asleep inside the home at the time — was woken up, and all three individuals were held at gunpoint. One suspect then allegedly produced a shotgun and demanded valuables. Police say the suspects made off with cash, jewellery, clothing, electronics, cannabis, and the keys to two vehicles belonging to the victims, before fleeing in those vehicles as well as their own.
Toronto police have declined to elaborate on the relationship between the three victims, stating only that the homeowner is believed to have been the primary target, while the initial victim was an acquaintance. "We have no information to suggest that the initial victim in the red Honda Civic was targeted," Smith noted.
At around 1:45 a.m. on December 3, officers spotted both stolen vehicles near Highway 401 and Weston Road. Police blocked the Honda Civic, after which a suspect exited the car and attempted to flee on foot. He allegedly pointed a loaded handgun at officers before being taken into custody. A loaded firearm was seized at the time of arrest.
The second stolen vehicle — a blue Ford F-150 belonging to the homeowner — was tracked to a dead-end street near Albion Road and Islington Avenue. Police say the driver of that vehicle rammed a scout car before fleeing. It has not been confirmed whether any officers were inside the cruiser at that time, or whether any injuries occurred.
Members of the Emergency Task Force located the Ford at approximately 3 a.m. near St. Clair Avenue West and Runnymede Road. A suspect was seen fleeing on foot and was taken into custody after a brief pursuit.
Jermain Smith, 35, and Tajahan Kelly, 30, both of Toronto, are each facing multiple charges. Both were scheduled to appear in bail court on the morning of December 3.
Two additional suspects remain outstanding. Superintendent Richard Harris, of 12 Division, said one of them was inside the Honda during the kidnapping and is described only as a Black male with a Jamaican accent. No description has been released for the second outstanding suspect, and police have yet to identify the suspect vehicle, which they are also seeking.
"We are continuing to seek the public's assistance to identify and locate the other two individuals believed to be involved in this kidnapping and home invasion," Inspector Smith said.
Toronto Police Service spokesperson Stephanie Sayer told CP24 that investigators are asking anyone who may have captured footage of the area to come forward. "We're hoping that people will see the photos of the two seized vehicles and send us any footage they have, as the suspect vehicle might be in the frame as well, which will help us identify it and the driver," Sayer said, adding that it is not yet known whether the suspect vehicle is stolen.
The investigation is being led by the Hold Up Squad, with support from officers of 12 and 23 Divisions, the Emergency Task Force, and Police Dog Services.
Anyone who was in the area of Martin Grove Road and John Garland Boulevard between 11:00 p.m. and 12:30 a.m., or near Weston Road and Highway 401, the Crossroads Plaza, or Runnymede Road and St. Clair Avenue West between 1 and 3 a.m., and has video footage, is asked to contact Toronto police at 416-808-7350 or reach out to Crime Stoppers anonymously.
Source: Google News JM — Crime