10 arrests made, including 6 teens, in armed pharmacy robberies spanning GTA

Toronto police updated an investigation into armed pharmacy robberies that were carried out across the GTA, saying 10 people were arrested, including two young teenagers aged 14 and 15.

Insp. Richard Harris revealed “Project Mayhem” was initiated with the help of Peel Regional Police, York Regional Police and Halton Regional Police following 26 armed robberies between Dec. 2022 and Feb. 2023.

Several police forces responded to armed robbery calls in the last few months. It’s alleged that groups of males travelling in stolen vehicles committed a series of pharmacy robberies and would rush in and make demands for narcotics and cash.

Investigators noted that in some incidents, the men used a handgun, with others brandishing a knife or initiating physical violence to control shoppers or employees inside the stores. They would flee in stolen vehicles.

Toronto police said that after a robbery on Jan. 24, officers followed a stolen vehicle with two males inside. Investigators conducted a vehicle stop and took them into custody. Police said a 14-year-old and 15-year-old boy were charged in this incident and face several offences, including six counts each of robbery with an offensive weapon.

Photo: Toronto police.

A few days later, Toronto police tracked down a stolen vehicle involved in a pharmacy robbery. Three men were arrested at the scene and were identified as 20-year-old Nathan Kelly of Toronto, 19-year-old Terrance Timm of Toronto and 18-year-old Armani Brown of Toronto. The three men face various robbery and firearm offences.

Investigators were able to connect three other men to the robberies committed. On Feb. 9, police executed a search warrant and arrested three other young male suspects, aged 17, 16 and 14. The teenagers face similar charges, including three counts each of robbery with an offensive weapon.

The young men were not identified by name through the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

7 pharmacy robberies committed on same day, additional arrests made

Toronto police said seven pharmacy robberies were carried out on Feb. 10 in Halton and Toronto. Investigators tracked down another stolen vehicle outside a pharmacy. Two men entered, and police were able to take them into custody at the scene. A loaded handgun was recovered.

Authorities identified 20-year-old Jahshaide Clarke of Mississauga and a 17-year-old man from Mississauga in this incident. Clarke and the male youth face several charges, including 11 counts of robbery (Clarke) and 10 counts of robbery (17-year-old).

Harris said officers are concerned not only about the number of violent pharmacy robberies but “the young ages of those involved.”

“Last year, there was a record number of pharmacy robberies in Toronto — 124. Of those arrested, 69 per cent were young people under the age of 18,” Harris said.

“So far, in 2023, there have been 45 robberies, compared to 11 at this time last year. Of those arrested, 67 per cent are young people.”