A man faces dozens of charges after brutal armed carjackings in Toronto, Mississauga

Police say a 29-year-old man is facing more than a dozen charges this week and the number could be even higher following two brazen armed carjackings in the GTA.

In a news release issued Thursday, Toronto police said officers responded to a call of a shooting in the area of ​​Dundas Street E. and River Street around 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Investigators say the man was walking on the road when he pulled out a gun and tried to open the door of a vehicle stopped at a red light.

According to investigators, the man shot the driver, causing serious injuries. He then approached another vehicle and tried to open the door again before firing his gun and narrowly missing the driver, according to the press release.

The defendant then approached two additional vehicles and tried unsuccessfully to open their doors, before heading to the fifth vehicle and pointing a gun at the driver, according to the news release.

Police say the person got out of the vehicle and the man drove it away from the area, then drove it into a parking lot near Lake Shore Boulevard E. and Carlaw Avenue. He then got out, pulled out his gun and once again approached another vehicle and demanded the keys.

A man was arrested, a gun was found: police

Officers arrived at the scene and after a quick pursuit on foot, they found the man a short distance away and arrested him. Police say they then found a loaded gun.

The defendant, of no fixed address, now faces more than a dozen charges related to Wednesday evening, including multiple counts of attempted murder, aggravated robbery, aggravated theft of a motor vehicle and failure to comply with probation conditions. He briefly appeared in court via video link on Thursday morning and is scheduled for a bail hearing on Friday.

Court documents show the man allegedly violated his probation in May this year after being charged with robbery and fraud in 2021.

Premier Doug Ford commented on the arrest at an unrelated event Thursday, saying more needs to be done to keep violent criminals behind bars — even though data shows the vast majority of Ontario prisons are closed they are already operating at or above performance levelsand most criminal cases in the province are ends before the allegations are reviewed at the trial.

“It’s the most absurd thing,” Ford said of his latest carjacking arrest.

“We need tough judges and tough (justices of the peace) when it comes to crime. People are fed up with this.”

Duty Insp. Steve Campoli of the Toronto Police Department described the defendant in the case as a “dangerous individual” while speaking to reporters on Wednesday evening.

“We are still working to establish a full schedule. However, the most important information is: the suspect is in custody and there is no further threat to public safety,” he said.

Toronto Service Insp. Steve Campoli spoke to reporters on Wednesday after police arrested a man who allegedly fired at vehicles on Highway 401 on Tuesday. (CBC)

Same man linked to the 401 carjacking

Police say the arrest came a day after the same man opened fire on several passing vehicles on highway 401 in Mississauga. They say more than 10 vehicles were shot at in the eastbound lanes near Dixie Road.

Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said it appears the man also stole a vehicle during the incident. They say no one was seriously injured.

OPP officials told CBC News Thursday morning that the preliminary charges against the defendant, for which officers obtained a warrant, include attempted murder with a firearm, multiple counts of robbery with a firearm, unlawful possession of a firearm and discharging a firearm. with intention.

As the investigation continues, officials may change or add to those charges, an OPP official said.

OPP Investigator Sean Chatland thanked the public for numerous tips and dashboard camera footage that assisted in the investigation.

“This investigation was complex and constantly evolving, ultimately resulting in the hospitalization of the victim and the arrest of the suspect. Our thoughts are with the victim and his family at this time,” Chatland said.