'IT'S OUTRAGEOUS': 3 youths on bail for weapons charges face 73 new charges in Toronto
Article content
A veteran Toronto cop says the time for bail reform is now, calling the latest worrisome example “outrageous.”
Earlier this week, dozens of charges were laid against three youths — aged 15, 16, and 17, and all on bail for previous weapons charges — following the seizure of high-powered firearms as part of an attempted vehicle stop in Etobicoke.
tap here to see other videos from our team.
'IT'S OUTRAGEOUS': 3 youths on bail for weapons charges face 73 new charges in Toronto Back to video
tap here to see other videos from our team.
“It’s outrageous that young people or adults that have firearms (charges) are released on bail,” said Toronto Police Supt. Ron Taverner in an interview with the Toronto Sun on Friday.
“We’re talking about public safety. These people are already facing charges. They should be some kind of stricter bail conditions. It’s about being held accountable. And when we look at this particular case, we have three young people that are already out on bail that obviously aren’t abiding by the bail conditions that they have so what does that say about the system? It says it’s not working.”
Toronto Police said on Wednesday at 11:11 p.m., they attempted to stop a vehicle operating without headlights in the area of Islington Ave. and Dixon Rd.
It’s alleged that the vehicle failed to stop and fled at a high rate of speed before the driver lost control and crashed into a tree and four occupants exited the vehicle and fled on foot.
It’s further alleged the officers located an AK-47 (Micro) assault rifle inside the vehicle, loaded with 30 rounds of ammunition, and an AR-style assault rifle loaded with 31 rounds of ammunition on the ground beside the vehicle.
Three suspects were located in the area. It’s alleged one of the accused was found to be carrying a loaded handgun with 30 rounds of ammunition. They were arrested a short time later and the fourth remains outstanding.
It is further alleged the vehicle had been reported stolen and, during a subsequent search of the vehicle, a second handgun was found concealed inside.
One youth, 17, faces 27 charges, 24 of which are firearm-related, and the others are including fail to comply – release order, breach of probation and possess property or thing obtained by crime within Canada exceeding $5000.
Another youth, 16, also faces 27 charges, including 24 that are firearm-related and two counts of fail to comply with release order and possess property or thing obtained by crime within Canada / exceeding $5000.
And finally a third youth, 15, faces 19 charges, 18 of which are firearm-related and one of possess property or thing obtained by crime within Canada / exceeding $5,000.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-2300, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at 222tips.com.
RECOMMENDED VIDEO
tap here to see other videos from our team.
Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.