Following a spate of "staged" collisions that resulted in carjackings in York Region in recent month, police are issuing a public warning.
Suspects are purposely causing minor collisions by driving into victims' vehicles,York Regional Police said in a news release. When the victims exit their vehicle to assess the damage, the suspects will confront the victims, often with firearms, and steal the vehicles.
Suspects have also used distraction techniques to allow another suspect to steal the vehicle when the victim isn’t paying attention, police added.
Police are advising citizens to always be aware of their surroundings.
"Trust your instincts. If you feel you are being followed, or if something doesn’t feel right, drive to a police station or contact police immediately. If you are involved in a collision and have concerns about the circumstances call 911," police advise. "If you are the victim of a carjacking, prioritize your personal safety and be the best witness you can be."
The most recent carjacking occurred Friday, Jan. 17 at approximately 5:50 p.m., police responded to a carjacking in the area of Leslie Street and Bethesda Sideroad in Richmond Hill. The victim’s Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon was rear-ended by a dark-coloured SUV, which a suspect drove away in while the victim was speaking with other suspects.
On Thursday, Jan. 9 at approximately 8:20 p.m., police responded to an attempted carjacking in the area of King Road and Highway 27 in Vaughan. The victim’s Cadillac Escalade was lightly rear-ended. When the victim got out of the vehicle, she was confronted by two suspects, one armed with a firearm. The suspects attempted to steal her vehicle but were unsuccessful due to a "kill switch" being installed in the Escalade, police said.
On Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024 at approximately 7:10 p.m., police responded to a carjacking in the area of Kirkham Drive and Karachi Drive in Markham. A male suspect on a bicycle rode into the side of the victim’s Cadillac Escalade. When the victim got out to check to see if the cyclist was injured, a dark sedan pulled up behind the Escalade. Two suspects exited the sedan, threatened the victim with a firearm and stole the vehicle, police said.
On Nov. 3, 2024 at approximately 7 p.m., a vehicle was rear-ended by a Honda sedan in the area of Warden Avenue and Major Mackenzie Drive in Markham. When the driver exited to check the damage, he was confronted by two suspects armed with firearms. One suspect stole the victim’s Lexus, while the other fled in the Honda.
