Seven teenagers, one of whom is just 13 years old, face charges for a “violent” home invasion in Vaughan that left one victim seriously injured Friday night.
An eighth suspect, who ran off with his hands cuffed behind his back, remains on the loose.
York Regional Police say officers responded to the “armed” home invasion in the area of Ventura Way and Beverley Glen Blvd. – southeast of Dufferin St. and Hwy. 407 – around 9 p.m.
“As officers arrived, the home invasion was still in progress, with multiple suspects inside the residence and several others waiting in two idling vehicles, later determined to be stolen,” Const. Kevin Nebrija said in a statement released Saturday.
“The suspect vehicles attempted to flee, resulting in collisions with responding police vehicles,” he said. “The occupants of the stolen vehicles fled on foot after the collisions and one suspect was quickly taken into custody.”
“As officers were attempting to arrest the other fleeing suspects, the first suspect fled, while handcuffed, and has not been located,” Nebrija added.
In the end, he said four suspects were taken into custody from the stolen vehicles and three suspects were arrested within the home.
“A victim was located suffering from serious injuries and treated at a local hospital,” Nebrija said, explaining no officers were hurt.
Investigators believe the home invasion was “targeted.”
Cops are still looking for the eighth suspect, described as a male, who was wearing all black clothing and had his hands cuffed behind his back.
Charged with an assortment of related offences are Tyler Small, 18, of no fixed address, Nyreek Wilson, 18, of Toronto, four 17-year-old boys and a 13-year-old boy, all of Toronto.
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At the time of the home invasion, police say Small and a 17-year-old boy were each on a release order. Another 17-year-old accused was found in contravention of his Youth Criminal Justice Act sentence. And the 13-year-old boy was on two release orders.
“This is another example of offenders being out on bail while committing serious criminal offences in our communities,” Chief Jim MacSween said in the statement. “Out of the seven offenders arrested, four were out on bail for prior offences and have now been charged for breaching their conditions.”
“The safety of our communities and the well-being of our officers requires a bail system that addresses repeat violent offenders effectively while upholding public trust,” he stressed.
Anyone with information, including dashcam footage or surveillance video, is asked to call the Hold-Up Unit at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 6630, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).