Halton police make two arrests after carjacking in Burlington parking lot

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Published June 22, 2022 at 1:33 pm

Halton police have arrested two people they believe responsible for an alleged carjacking in Burlington.

According to police, yesterday, June 21, at 4:50 pm, a woman was getting into her 2020 Range Rover which was parked in an office parking lot in the area of North Service Rd. and Burloak Dr. in Burlington.

The victim was approached by a male suspect holding a firearm and was ordered out of the vehicle. A second suspect, female, was waiting in a grey Dodge Journey. The pair fled the area in the stolen Range Rover and the Dodge Journey. No physical injuries were sustained during the incident.

A short time later, the Range Rover was involved in a collision in the area of Upper Middle Rd. and Sutton Dr. The suspect was observed fleeing from the scene on foot. When police showed up, they located and arrested the suspect. A firearm was recovered from the stolen vehicle.

Just after 5:30 pm, officers located the Dodge Journey driving in the area of Appleby Line and Mainway. Officers conducted a traffic stop and arrested the female suspect.

Joshua Belshaw, 22, of St. Catharines, and Kendra MacLeod, 21, of Welland are both facing several robbery and weapons charges. They were held in custody pending a bail hearing.

As a result of the increase in carjacking incidents across the Greater Toronto Area, local police services have combined resources and established a task force, dubbed Operation GTA, to further co-ordinate law enforcement efforts in combating these crimes.

Carjackings are often violent and affect the larger community, as well as the victims involved. This collaborative approach targets the criminals committing carjackings as well as the organized criminal groups behind them.

The Halton Regional Police Service is a member of this task force, alongside police forces from York, Toronto, Peel, Durham and the OPP, with the support of Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario.

Here are some safety tips for drivers:

  • Be aware of your surroundings at all times
  • Park in well-lit areas
  • Report suspicious activity to police
  • If confronted, do not fight back. Get to a place of safety and call 911 immediately

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact Halton police at 905-825-4777, ext. 2316.

Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or at the website.

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