A Toronto man has been charged in the attempted kidnapping of a woman in Vaughan last month.
On Aug. 23 at about 12 p.m., police responded to reports of a woman being kidnapped in the parking lot of the Vaughan Mills mall. She was approached by four suspects, who forced her into the back of a vehicle, York Regional Police said in a news release. Police believe the suspects were armed with at least one gun.
The vehicle was driven a short distance before the victim was able to escape. She suffered minor injuries.
The suspect vehicle, a blue, four-door Honda Civic with Ontario licence plate AXJN850, was reported stolen from Toronto on Aug. 20. It has since been recovered.
On Thursday, with the assistance of the Durham Regional Police Service, Johnathon Hewston-Bharat, 19, was arrested and charged with kidnapping with a firearm, breach of a court order, use of a firearm or imitation firearm, possession of a firearm contrary to a prohibition order, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, and possession of ammunition contrary to a prohibition order.
At the time of the incident, the accused was on a release order and a firearm prohibition.
Three other suspects are being sought in relation to the attempted kidnapping. They are described as Black males with thin builds, wearing all black, black medical masks and gloves.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the York Regional Police #4 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7441. Information can be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or 1800222tips.com.
