Toronto police create unique support team to address recent rise in armed carjackings

Toronto police will be redeploying additional officers to form a new, dedicated team to address a recent crime spree of armed carjackings.

Police Chief James Ramer says the police force reallocated approximately $2.3 million to assemble an “Organized Crime Investigative Support Team” that will begin to patrol the streets this week.

The latest incident happened on Tuesday when officers were called to Leaside Park and Overlea Boulevard following reports of an armed carjacking.

The victim was getting into his silver 2015 Audi A-3 in the parking lot of a community centre when two suspects with guns ran up and demanded the keys and drove off in his car. No injuries were reported.

There have been 93 carjackings to date compared to only 21 at this time in 2021. The total number of carjackings in 2022 has almost reached the 2021 total of 103.

“The Organized Crime Investigative Support Team will enhance our specialized investigative capacity by allowing us to put more resources into detecting and solving complex crimes that impact public safety,” said Chief James Ramer.

Related:

• WATCH: Video shows carjackings in York Region; police warn of rise in violent vehicle thefts

• 2 suspects arrested after month-long violent carjacking spree across GTA

Ramer says the task force will “focus on citywide major crime activity where the investigative scope exceeds the resources of local divisions or has links to organized crime.”

This includes carjackings, auto thefts, kidnappings and other organized crime that falls outside the mandate of the other investigative units in Toronto.

Ramer says police have made more than 39 arrests to date, which can be linked to multiple incidents.

Mayor John Tory and Toronto Police Chief James Ramer discuss the city’s plans ahead of a weekend protest. CITYNEWS/Tony Fera

Tory: New team of dedicated officers will help keep Toronto safe

In the wake of the surge in carjackings, Mayor John Tory issued an open letter last week to the federal and provincial governments, calling for additional resources for Toronto Police. In the letter, Tory said all levels of government need to work together to improve public safety in the city.

Tory says he approves of the police force’s decision to assemble a team of dedicated officers focused on these specific crimes.

“I welcome the launch of the Organized Crime Investigative Support Team. This smart, targeted response is one more way our police service is working to address serious crimes in our city and keep residents safe,” said Tory.

“I fully support the non-stop work our police officers are doing to tackle organized crime and bring those responsible to justice.”

Tory said last week he was “extremely troubled” over the alarming rise in armed carjackings after police confirmed that auto thefts are up 55 per cent over last year. Carjackings, specifically, have seen a more drastic surge.

On May 16, Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner was carjacked at gunpoint by a group of suspects in the parking lot of a Cineplex in Etobicoke.

A few days later, three suspects were believed to be involved in a series of armed carjackings allegedly carried out in less than two hours.