Two youths charged after machete attack and robbery at Whitby movie theatre

A 15-year-old was stabbed and robbed at Landmark Cinemas in Whitby on Oct. 25. Two youths from Oshawa and Pickering have since been arrested and charged.

Machete used in robbery at Whitby cinema, two youth suspects arrested

Toronto Sun Crime reports that two youths have been charged after a 15-year-old boy was stabbed with a machete and robbed inside a Whitby movie theatre in the early hours of Sunday, October 25.

Durham Regional Police said officers were called to Landmark Cinemas at 75 Consumers Dr. at approximately 12:40 a.m., following reports of an armed individual on the premises. Upon arrival, officers found the teenager with a serious laceration to his arm.

According to investigators, the victim had gone to the theatre to meet a girl he knew through social media. A group of youths approached him and demanded his jacket. When he refused, one of the suspects pulled out a machete and struck him in the arm. The group then continued to assault the teen before fleeing with his jacket and cash.

Paramedics treated the victim at the scene before he was transported to a local hospital. His injuries were not considered life-threatening.

Investigators identified four youths believed to be involved: a 15-year-old boy from Oshawa, a 17-year-old boy from Pickering, a 13-year-old girl from Oshawa, and an unidentified male. Arrest warrants were issued for two of them.

Both were arrested without incident on Wednesday. At the time of their arrests, police noted that each youth was in violation of existing release and sentence orders. Their identities cannot be disclosed under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

The 15-year-old from Oshawa faces charges of robbery while armed with an offensive weapon, aggravated assault, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace, disguise with intent, three counts of failing to comply with a release order, and failing to comply with a youth sentence order.

The 17-year-old from Pickering has been charged with robbery while armed with an offensive weapon, aggravated assault, disguise with intent, two counts of failing to comply with a release order, and failing to comply with a youth sentence order under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

Police believe the incident was isolated. The investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone with cellphone video, dash-cam footage, surveillance recordings, or other information related to the incident is asked to contact Durham Regional Police at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 1805.

Source: Toronto Sun Crime