An 18-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a carjacking investigation in Toronto, police say.
Toronto police said on June 19, officers received a report of a carjacking in the Albion Road and Islington Avenue area.
Police said a woman was approached by two men as she walked to her parked car.
Officers said one man allegedly pointed a handgun at her and demanded her car keys.
“She handed over the keys and the two men got into the vehicle,” police alleged in a news release. “They drove a short distance then stopped, got out and fled on foot.”
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According to police, on Friday, officers executed a search warrant at a home.
Police said 18-year-old Hamzah Hussein from Toronto was arrested.
“During the search of the residence, officers seized an additional quantity of narcotics and Canadian currency,” the release read.
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Hussein is now facing several charges including robbery with a firearm, possession of a firearm with ammunition and possession of the proceeds of crime.
Officers said he appeared in court for a bail hearing on Oct. 1.
Police are now seeking to identify the second suspect.
Officers said he has a “thin build.”
“If located, do not approach, call 911 immediately,” police said.
Anyone with information can contact police or Crime Stoppers.
Read more: Woman arrested, another wanted in connection with series of carjackings in Toronto: police
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Toronto police Insp. Rich Harris said a total of 182 carjackings have been reported in the city this year to date.
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He said the Toronto police Hold Up squad has taken charge of 136 of the investigations. A total of 56 vehicles have been recovered.
According to Harris, in 2021 a total of 102 carjackings were reported to police in the city.
“In previous years we haven’t seen these numbers at all,” he said.
Harris said in some cases, high-end vehicles are being stolen.
“We can definitely say that they are being used to resale for profit,” he said.
However, Harris said in other cases, “not so high-end” vehicles have been taken.
“We’re seeing them pop up in different types of crimes,” he said. “Other robberies, shooting investigations — that type of stuff.”
“So to say generically what the motive is — each investigation tells its own story.”
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