A 16-year-old Markham boy is facing multiple charges after a retail store employee was threatened with what appeared to be a handgun on Sunday.
Officers responded to a weapons call at a retail store at Rutherford Road and Highway 400 in Vaughan on March 26 at 6:45 p.m., York Regional Police said in a news release.
A suspect was arrested, and an airsoft gun was located in his possession, police said.
The teenager, who can't be named is charged with: carrying a concealed weapon; possession of a weapon; using an imitation firearm during the commission of an offence; uttering threats; and failing to comply with judicial release order (two counts).
In light of this and other incidents involving replica or air guns, York Regional Police reminds the public of the following:
- When police respond to any call involving a weapon, the weapon will be treated as real until an investigation can determine otherwise;
- There is often no way to tell if the weapon is real prior to investigation;
- Replica firearms, air guns, gel guns or toy guns used in the commission of another offence are considered legitimate weapons, and those responsible will face significant criminal charges;
- If you damage property or injure a person or animal by discharging an air gun, you could be subject to criminal charges in addition to civil liability;
- Residents must seriously consider the risks and responsibilities involved in owning any item that could be perceived as a firearm;
- For the safety of our communities, we strongly discourage the purchase and use of these items in our region.
To report an emergency related to firearms, call 911. Anyone with information on this investigation is asked to contact the York Regional Police #4 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7441, or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS, leave an anonymous tip online at 1800222tips.com.
