Three youth crime incidents in Durham and Peel: stolen truck, knife threat, distraction theft
A 16-year-old rammed a police cruiser in Ajax while driving a stolen truck; a 15-year-old threatened an Oshawa taxi driver with a knife; and two suspects stole a $3,500 gold necklace from an elderly Mississauga woman.
Three incidents in Durham and Peel: stolen truck rams cruiser, cabbie threatened, elderly woman robbed
Toronto Sun Crime reports three separate incidents involving young suspects and opportunistic thieves across the Durham and Peel regions.
Ajax: 16-year-old rams police cruiser in stolen pickup
A 16-year-old from Ajax has been charged with a string of offences after allegedly driving a stolen Ford pickup truck into a police cruiser in the early hours of June 11.
Durham Regional Police said officers first noticed the truck driving erratically at approximately 1:30 a.m. in a parking lot near Kingston and Westney Roads in Ajax. When they moved to contain the vehicle during a traffic stop, the driver rammed a cruiser and fled.
Officers later located the pickup — confirmed stolen — parked in the Bayly Street East and Burcher Road area and arrested the driver. The teen was prohibited from driving at the time of the incident.
He faces charges including impaired operation, impaired operation (exceed), flight from a peace officer, dangerous operation, driving while suspended, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, and two counts of failure to comply with a release order.
Anyone with video or information is asked to contact Durham Regional Police at 1-888-579-1520, ext. 1901, or submit an anonymous tip to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca.
Oshawa: 15-year-old threatens taxi driver with knife
A 15-year-old from Oshawa has been charged after allegedly threatening a taxi driver with a knife — and possibly displaying a concealed firearm — in Oshawa on Sunday afternoon.
Durham Regional Police said the cab driver approached an officer at about 5:40 p.m. near Bloor Street East and Ritson Road South, reporting that a passenger had threatened them as the vehicle neared its destination. The victim also believed the suspect had briefly shown a firearm tucked into his waistband before fleeing the cab on foot.
Police deployed a drone to track the suspect, who was apprehended after a short foot pursuit. A large knife was recovered during the subsequent search.
The teenager was charged with assault with a weapon, possession of a dangerous weapon, and uttering threats.
Anyone with information is asked to call Durham Regional Police at 1-888-579-1520, ext. 1701, or contact Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca.
Mississauga: Two suspects distract elderly woman, steal $3,500 gold necklace
Peel Regional Police are seeking two unidentified suspects after an elderly woman was robbed of a gold necklace and pendant — worth approximately $3,500 — in what investigators describe as a distraction theft in Mississauga last month.
The incident occurred on June 26 at about 4:20 p.m. in the Garnetwood Chase and Rathburn Road East area. According to police, a female suspect approached the victim on foot after exiting a newer-model blue Kia Sportage. The woman repeatedly asked the victim if she was all right while placing a fake gold chain around her neck.
When the victim pushed her away and called for help, a male suspect stepped out of the vehicle and briefly covered the victim's mouth, apparently attempting to silence her. During the scuffle, the victim's 18-karat gold necklace and a pendant were taken.
The suspects fled westbound on Rathburn Road in the Kia, which had no licence plates.
The female suspect is described as approximately 40 to 50 years old, medium build, with black hair. She was wearing a colourful headscarf and a long black skirt, and spoke both Croatian and English. No description of the male suspect has been released.
"Investigators are reminding residents to be cautious when approached by strangers offering assistance, gifts or jewelry," police said in a statement. "Distraction thefts often involve suspects creating a diversion to steal valuable property."
Anyone with information or video footage is asked to contact Peel Regional Police at 905-453-2121, ext. 1233.
Source: Toronto Sun Crime