Toronto police say four suspects have been arrested after attempting to steal a car from Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s driveway overnight.
Ford made the public aware of the incident while speaking at a press conference on Tuesday in Toronto.
Ford says “four thugs” made the attempt at around 12:30 a.m. Tuesday at his home in Etobicoke.
“So, four thugs come racing down my street, masks on, ready to take the car out of the driveway,” he said.
He said to the suspect’s surprise, two police cars were on site, and began to chase them.
“One guy runs out, takes off, they capture him, and they catch these other guys,” the premier said.
According to Toronto police, officers observed the masked suspects in a vehicle, which was slowing down as it approached the driveway.
As officers initiated a vehicle stop and investigated the suspects, one fled on foot but was captured nearby, according to police.
Police say officers located a car key programming device and a programmable master key in the suspects’ vehicle.,
Two men were arrested, both aged 23, as well as two youths aged 16 and 17, according to police.
All four have been charged with possession of electronic device for motor vehicle theft and
unlawfully purchase automobile master key. Meanwhile, the 17-year-old faces additional charges including resisting arrest, and failing to comply undertaking.
Ford says the incident is an example of why Canada needs tougher laws and bail reform, and says many criminals who commit similar crimes will only be released.
“I’m sick and tired of the weak justice system that we have, we need to start throwing these people in jail, this is turning into a lawless city” he said. “Just imagine all the unfortunate people that don’t have security there at their house.”
The attempted carjacking took place nearly two hours following a separate carjacking that left a man with serious injuries after falling from the Gardiner Expressway when attempting to flee from police, according to Ontario’s police watchdog, the Special Investigations Unit (SIU).
The SIU says police were called around 11 p.m. on June 16 about a stolen Rolls Royce in the area of 1090 Don Mills Road.
The SIU says police then initiated a roadblock in the Gardiner and Spadina area, where the driver of a BMW eventually began to flee on foot before falling from the Gardiner to Lakeshore Boulevard.
Police say the man was then arrested and is now being treated for serious injuries in hospital.
