Suspects spotted wearing balaclavas leads to arrests in Richmond Hill

A 21-year-old Richmond Hill man is among four people arrested in connection with a stolen vehicle investigation in Richmond Hill. 

Officers noticed a white BMW X5 with two occupants wearing balaclavas in the Hillcrest Mall parking lot at Yonge Street and Carrville Road on Wednesday, June 14 at 6:55 p.m., York Regional Police said in a news release.

When officers learned the vehicle was recently reported stolen, they began monitoring it. A white Mercedes sedan then arrived, occupied by two others wearing masks, police said.

The vehicles then briefly went into a nearby residential area before returning to the mall parking lot. All four masked suspects then got into the BMW, police said.

With the assistance of the Air2 helicopter, officers stopped the vehicle. Two suspects attempted to flee, but were quickly taken into custody.

A quantity of drugs believed to be Percocet was seized, along with several stolen credit cards, according to police.

Through investigation, the white Mercedes was also found to have recently been stolen in Toronto, police said.

Jackson Lake of Richmond Hill is charged with: two counts of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000; possession for the purpose of trafficking; two counts of failure to comply with a court order; and failing to comply with an undertaking.

Christian Nunez-Garcia, 21, of London is charged with two counts of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 and possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Mateo Hazizi, 20, of London is charged with two counts of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 and possession of a stolen credit card.

Karine Haidar, 20, of London is charged with two counts of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 and possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the York Regional Police at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 6630, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS, or leave an anonymous tip online at www.1800222tips.com.

None of the allegations have been tested in court and the accused are considered innocent unless proven guilty.