York Regional Police have arrested three people and recovered two stolen vehicles in Markham.
At about 3:15 a.m. Thursday, police responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle in a plaza near Woodbine and 14th avenues. They found a large cargo van parked in front of an industrial store and the driver was wearing a bandana across his face. Two other people were in a nearby pickup truck, and all three suspects attempted to flee the scene, police said in a news release.
The driver of the van ran through the parking lot and was arrested. The two suspects in the pickup truck backed into a police cruiser in an attempt to get away, causing significant damage to the vehicle.
Police attempted to stop the pickup truck on the ramp to Highway 407, but the two occupants fled on foot. One was quickly found, and police set up a perimeter to locate the second suspect. The canine unit located the last suspect, who was arrested.
Police learned the cargo van had been stolen in Markham earlier in the morning and the pickup truck had been stolen in Peel Region on Jan. 20. Police searched the pickup truck and found break-and-enter tools, ignition barrels used to hotwire vehicles, master key fobs and a commercial power washer.
No one was seriously injured during the investigation.
Gurdeep Singh Bains, 48, of Brampton, Amritpaul Saini, 24, of Wasaga Beach, and Gurvir Dhatt, 40, of Brampton, have been charged with attempted break and enter and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 (two counts).
Bains was also charged with possession of property obtained by crime, breach of probation (two counts) and possession of a Schedule 1 substance.
Saini was also charged with possession of a Schedule 1 substance, dangerous operation, flight from police, obstructing police and failing to comply with a release order.
Dhatt was also charged with obstructing police and failing to comply with a release order.
At the time of the offences, Saini was on numerous release orders in Peel and Toronto requiring him to remain in his residence. Dhatt was also on numerous release orders in Peel requiring him to not possess keys or be found in a vehicle. Bains was on probation for unrelated offences.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the York Regional Police #5 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7545. Information can be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or 1800222tips.com.
