WARMINGTON: Carjackers stole Mitch Marner's ride but didn't rob him of his class

Article content

Thieves stole Mitch Marner’s Range Rover at gunpoint but they didn’t rob him of his class.

“This should not go unnoticed,” said fan Dylan Atack, who is sharing his positive experience of meeting the Maple Leafs superstar coming out of the team’s Etobicoke practice facility less than 24 hours after falling victim to an armed carjacking.

Marner is not in hiding, shaking in fear, or even moving around with extra security. Instead, he’s moving forward with a smile and a grateful message to Leafs Nation.

“To all the fans, my friends and teammates, and the entire Maple Leafs Organization — thank you for all your positive messages over the last few days,” the Leafs star wrote on social media Wednesday. “The overwhelming support I’ve felt from the Toronto community has been unbelievable.”

“I’d also like to thank Toronto Police Service for all their hard work in the ongoing investigation,” Marner added.

Police have been tight-lipped about how the probe is going, but sources say it is their No. 1 priority as they try to collar the trio they describe as armed and dangerous.

Ir was just before 8 p.m. on Monday, outside of the Cineplex at The Queensway and Islington Ave., that Marner and a friend were surprised by masked carjackers wearing, two of whom were carrying handguns while one had a knife.

Police praised Marner for not trying to resist the robbery.

“It was a scary situation to be in but we’re safe and doing well,” Marner wrote in his social media post. ”Thank you all. Your support has meant the world to us.”

The Sun has learned his graciousness went further by also showing great bravery and kindness to fans in person as well.

On locker cleanout day Tuesday, no one would have blamed No. 16 for sneaking out a back way or rolling up his window and motoring through. But, instead, he stopped his vehicle and met the fans.

“Mitch Marner drove out and he rolled down his window and he signed my poster despite what happened to him on Monday,” said Atack. “Mitch still took the time and he was so kind enough to stop.”

And yes, it does appear that he was driving a Range Rover. Take that, car thieves.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

Try refreshing your browser, or
tap here to see other videos from our team.

Play Video

Dylan was pretty sure it was a loaner but thought it was cool to see the Leafs star back on the horse so quickly.

I teased Dylan that this was the second Atack Mitch had to deal with in less than 24 hours only this one was only armed with a Sharpie pen.

“Haha, you’re right,” said Atack.

You can tell from the picture, Marner does not appear to be nervous while greeting fans. In fact, he seemed to be enjoying it.

“He was very nice,” said Atack. “All Mitch said was he’s had better days.”

But he still made sure it was a great day for Atack and the other supporters who came out to the final team meeting of the season.

jwarmington@postmedia.com