Toronto Area Police Issue Warning About Carjackings Involving Collisions and Guns

January 21, 2025 TruthUSA

York Regional Police (YRP) are warning the public after repeated staged carjackings that involve collisions and guns.

The warning was issued on Jan. 21, stating a “re-emergence” of staged collision carjackings.

Police alert that suspects intentionally cause minor collisions by hitting a victim’s vehicle. Upon the victim’s exit, they face suspects often armed with guns.

The suspects proceed to steal the victim’s vehicle.

Thieves have also employed distraction techniques to steal vehicles when victims are not paying attention, as per police reports.

One such incident occurred to a victim in Richmond Hill on Jan. 17, as per police. The carjacking took place at around 5:50 p.m. near Leslie Street and Bethesda Sideroad.

The victim was driving a Mercedes Benz G-Wagon when they were rear-ended by a dark coloured sport utility vehicle.

Upon inspecting the damage, the victim witnessed a suspect entering their vehicle and driving away.

A similar incident occurred on Jan. 9 in Vaugh, YRP reported. The victim was driving a Cadillac Escalade near King Road and Highway 27 when their vehicle was rear-ended.

When the victim approached the damage, two suspects, one armed, confronted her. Despite trying to steal the vehicle, they were unsuccessful due to a kill switch in the Escalade.

Police investigations revealed two other similar incidents in November 2024.

One victim was hit by a cyclist in Markham on Nov. 20, 2024.

While the victim was distracted by the cyclist, a dark-coloured sedan stopped behind their Cadillac Escalade.

Two individuals exited the sedan with weapons, threatened the victim, and stole the vehicle.

Another incident occurred on Nov. 3 in Markham, where a victim’s Lexus was rear-ended by a Honda sedan.

In a manner similar to the other incidents, as the driver checked the damage, two armed individuals approached. One drove away with the Lexus, while the other escaped in the Honda.

Top Vehicle Models

YRP data identifies Toyota models as the most stolen vehicles in 2025. Data indicates that 31 Toyota vehicles have been stolen in 2025, followed by 18 Lexus models and 10 Ford models.

Honda follows with five models stolen in 2025, while four Mercedes Benz and 4 RAM vehicles have been stolen.

Other targeted vehicle models include BMW (3 stolen so far in 2025), Dodge (3), and Hyundai (3).

Over the last month, YRP data shows 85 reported stolen vehicles, equivalent to about three daily from the region.

Vehicle thefts rank as the third most reported crime in the area, following assaults (272 reports) and home break-ins (99 incidents).

Safety Tips

YRP recommends staying alert to surroundings and trusting instincts while driving.

If one feels followed or senses something amiss, YRP advises driving to a police station or contacting police immediately.

Concerned parties involved in collisions are advised to call 911.

In case of a carjacking, prioritizing personal safety is essential, according to police.

Individuals with information on carjackings are urged to contact the York Regional Police Hold-Up Unit at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 6630. Tips can be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS, or online at www.1800222tips.com.

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