Police in York Region have released video of a brazen carjacking in Newmarket Saturday, in which a man is seen entering another person’s car at a gas pump, ramming into another vehicle and nearly ripping off the door as he drives off.
Investigators are now looking for a 39-year-old suspect, who faces six charges, including robbery and possession of property over $5,000 obtained by a crime. A warrant is out for his arrest.
At approximately 6:30 p.m. Saturday, York Regional Police say they responded to the carjacking at a gas station near Mulock Drive E. and Harry Walker Parkway. The suspect was gone when police arrived.
The victim was pumping gas at the time of the incident, police say, when the suspect entered the vehicle.
The suspect attempted to drive away, but another vehicle stopped in front of him and blocked his way, police say. The suspect then drove into that vehicle before reversing and driving away, nearly tearing off the gas station nozzle, according to police.
No one was injured, they added.
WATCH | Surveillance video shows carjacking at Newmarket gas station:
Police spotted the suspect hours after the incident, but he evaded capture, according to a police news release Tuesday
At approximately 9 p.m. Saturday, police say Ontario Provincial Police officers saw the suspect in the Town of Caledon, west of Newmarket. Officers were responding to a fail-to-remain collision at the intersection of Mayfield Road and Bramalea Road, police say, and identified one of the vehicles as the one involved in the carjacking earlier that evening.
The suspect fled on foot and police say they were unable to locate him.
Police say the suspect is about five feet eight inches tall, 150 pounds with a thin build, black, medium-length hair and a beard. He was last seen wearing a powder-blue polo shirt, black pants, a light-coloured bucket hat and navy blue “prisoner issued” slip-on shoes.
The suspect had recently been released from police custody following a bail hearing on unrelated charges, police say.
Police are asking witnesses of the incident, or anyone with information, to come forward.