Two arrested after 16 robberies in 5 hours including Oakville and Burlington locations
A 23-year-old man and a 17-year-old boy are facing dozens of charges after 16 businesses were robbed within five hours, including two in Halton.
On Friday, April 1, at 12:05 a.m., two suspects entered an Esso gas station in Plaines Road East and QEW area of Burlington.
Police said the individuals approached the counter and demanded cash and cigarettes.
One suspect reportedly gripped his waistband and alluded to having a weapon.
The employee did not cooperate, and the would-be robbers left the gas station empty-handed.
A short time later at 12:30 a.m., two suspects attended an Esso gas station in the Trafalgar and Argus roads area of Oakville.
Police said one individual pretended to purchase candy and then when the employee opened the register a second person went behind the counter and demanded money and cigarettes.
The suspects left with a small amount of cash and approximately 10-15 packs of cigarettes.
Toronto police said 14 additional robberies took place in Toronto, Peel Region and York Region over the next few hours.
In some incidents the suspects reportedly ordered everyone inside the business they were robbing to get down on the ground and used threats and physical violence while making their demands.
Police said during one incident the robbers used a firearm.
Each time they stole cash and cigarettes before fleeing the area in a car with stolen licence plates.
Later the same day, Toronto police located the vehicle in the Don Mills Road and Eglinton Avenue East area of Toronto.
Two people were arrested following a short foot chase with police.
A 23-year-old man from Mississauga faces 29 charges including: seven counts of robbery, eight counts of wearing a disguise with intent, robbery with a firearm, possession of property obtained by crime and eight counts of failing to comply with probation.
A 17-year-old boy from Toronto faces 22 charges including: seven counts of robbery, robbery with a firearm, eight counts of wearing a disguise with intent, possession of property obtained by crime and failure to comply with a release order.
The charges have not been proven in court.
Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to contact Toronto police at 416-808-7350 or Crime Stoppers at 416-222-TIPS (8477).