Durham Police yesterday reported a new carjacking modus operandi, and are looking for at least three suspects after they attempted to carjack a victim using vehicles that resembled unmarked police cars in Pickering.
On Sunday, June 9 at about 11:45 pm, members of West Division responded to a 911 call near the intersection of Taunton Road and New Whites Road. The caller reported that three individuals had tried to steal their vehicle at gunpoint, said a police report.
The victim was traveling eastbound on Taunton Road when a pickup truck pulled up behind his vehicle and activated flashing lights which resembled an unmarked police car. At the same time, a second vehicle also approached, which also activated flashing lights.
Three males approached the victim’s vehicle, one of whom was believed to have a firearm, and attempted to gain entry into the victim’s car. The victim did not believe them to be police officers as they did not observe any police identifiers on the males. The victim was able to maneuver their vehicle around the suspect vehicles and drive away. Both suspect vehicles followed the victim however, the victim was able to get to West Division police station where he met officers.
Anyone who was in the area that witnessed any of the interaction, or anyone who may have dashcam video is asked to contact police.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact D/Cst. Crosbie of Robbery Unit at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5360.
Three held for Lexus SUV theft in Whitby
Durham Police said three males are facing charges after a stolen vehicle fled from police in Whitby.
On Tuesday, June 11 at about 3:05 am, members of Central West Division responded to a car theft in the area of Rossland Road West and McQuay Boulevard.
The victim’s Lexus SUV was stolen from their driveway. The Lexus was tracked to the area of Lakeridge Road South and Dundas Street West, where police located it with a second vehicle. A traffic stop was initiated however the Lexus fled the area. The second vehicle remained on scene, and its occupants were taken into custody without incident. The Lexus was pursued for a short distance before it went off the roadway, becoming immobile. The suspect fled the vehicle on foot, said a police report.
Officers searched the area, and with the assistance of the K9 Unit, took the suspect into custody. The suspect was transported to a local area hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries, police said.
Three suspects, each age 23, all from Quebec, were charged and held for a bail hearing. Name and further details available at www.drps.ca.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Det. Brown at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 2825.
Editor’s Note: Durham Post does not name or identify the accused as:
1. Of this time, they are suspect[s] and not convicted by a court, and
2. Sometimes charges are amended or dropped.