Two people are facing charges after an attempted vehicle theft Tuesday in Vaughan.
York Regional Police responded at about 1:45 p.m. to a report of a theft of a vehicle in progress at a home near Cityview and Retreat boulevards. Two suspects attempted to flee on foot when police arrived, but they were quickly apprehended.
Officers found a loaded firearm in the pocket of one of the suspects. He also had two Kevlar panels built into his jacket, police said in a news release. Also seized were a large quantity of cash, a master key, break-and-enter tools, a power saw and a key fob.
Ajanthan Thavakumar, 34, of Vaughan has been charged with possession of a loaded prohibited firearm, possession of a prohibited firearm while knowingly not holding a licence, possession of break-and-enter instruments, attempted theft of a vehicle over $5,000, being unlawfully in possession of an automobile master key, and three counts of possession of a firearm while prohibited.
Thamby Suren, 51, of Toronto, has been charged with possession of break-and-enter instruments, attempted theft of a vehicle over $5,000, being unlawfully in possession of an automobile master key, and five counts of possession of property obtained by crime.
Thavakumar was on three firearms prohibitions for unrelated offences at the time, police said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the York Regional Police #4 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7441. Information can be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or 1800222tips.com.
