In yet another shining example of Canada’s bail system, a 39-year-old man is wanted for a brazen carjacking last weekend in Newmarket shortly after he was released from custody.
York Regional Police say officers responded to the carjacking at a gas station near Mulock Dr. E. and Harry Walker Pkwy. – just west of Hwy. 404 – around 6:30 p.m. on Saturday.
“The victim was pumping gas when a (man) approached and entered her vehicle,” Const. Lisa Moskaluk said in a statement released Tuesday, explaining a good Samaritan pulled in front of the victim’s vehicle to block in the carjacker as he tried to drive off.
“However, the (man) was able to flee by reversing, nearly ripping off the door of the victim’s vehicle,” she said, adding nobody was hurt in the frightening encounter.
Video released by police shows a woman innocently pumping gas into her car as a man nonchalantly hops behind the wheel in broad daylight.
The woman struggles to pull the car thief out of the driver’s seat as he starts to pull away, but an SUV suddenly swerves across the parking lot and stops abruptly in front of the woman’s car.
The woman manages to get clear of the vehicle just as the carjacker reverses, hitting a gas pump with the open door, nearly tearing it off, and sending the gas nozzle flying before speeding away.
Investigators subsequently identified Giani Zail Singh Sidhu, of no fixed address, as a suspect in the auto theft.
“It was learned the suspect had just been released following a bail hearing on unrelated charges from police custody in #1 District prior to the carjacking,” Moskaluk said, offering no further details on those “unrelated charges.”
Later that night, around 9 p.m., she said Ontario Provincial Police officers responded to a fail-to-remain collision at Mayfield and Bramalea Rds. in Caledon.
“One of the vehicles involved was the same vehicle that was carjacked in Newmarket earlier that day,” Moskaluk said.
“The suspect fled on foot,” she said. “Despite the use of a drone and their Canine Unit, police were unable to locate the suspect.”
An arrest warrant been issued for Sidhu.
He is wanted for robbery, dangerous operation of a conveyance, two counts of failure to stop after an accident, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, and failure to comply with an undertaking.
Sidhu is described as 5-foot-8, 150 pounds, with a thin build, black medium-length hair and a black beard. He was last seen wearing a powder-blue short-sleeved polo shirt, black athletic pants, navy blue prisoner-issued slip-on shoes, and a white or tan bucket hat.
“Investigators are appealing for any witnesses to come forward,” Moskaluk said. “Officers would also like to speak with anyone who may have video surveillance or dashcam footage in the area at the time of the incident.”
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to call the Hold-Up Unit at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 6630, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).