Three teenagers were charged and a loaded firearm was seized after a carjacking attempt in Markham early Saturday.
A woman was walking to her vehicle in a parking lot at Yonge Street and Glen Cameron Road when a masked suspect approached and pulled her away on April 6 at about 2 a.m., according to York Regional Police.
A second masked suspect then entered her vehicle, police said. The victim struggled with the suspect while her husband joined in to assist.
When attempting to flee in the victim’s vehicle, the suspects crashed into another vehicle in the parking lot. They then ran to a getaway car, driven by a third masked suspect.
The car the suspects were driving was stolen in Peel Region April 1, police added.
On April 13, investigators located the stolen vehicle with three suspects inside and attempted to stop it. After a brief foot pursuit, all suspects were taken into custody. During the arrest, a loaded handgun with an extended magazine was located and the stolen vehicle recovered, police said.
Charged are Poshur Williams, 18, and a 17-year-old male, both of Toronto, and a 16-year-old male of Ajax.
Charges:
- Conspiracy to commit an indictable offence
- Disguise with intent
- Possession of a loaded restricted firearm with ammunition
- Possession of a prohibited device
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000
At the time of these offences, Williams was on a release order for unrelated charges, police said.
York Regional Police is providing these tips every driver should keep in mind to avoid a carjacking:
- Be aware of your surroundings at all times, even in places you feel safe
- Stay vigilant at public garages, parking lots, gas stations and at controlled intersections
- Keep your vehicle keys and house keys on separate key rings
- Invest in GPS tracking or vehicle tracking services
- Do not leave your vehicle running unattended
- If you are the victim of a carjacking, avoid challenging the suspects. Obtain the best descriptions you can and call 911 when safe to do so.
