VIDEO: Air1 police chopper pursues three teens after Oshawa pharmacy robbery
Published March 7, 2022 at 12:50 pm
Three teenagers have been charged with a battery of offences after an Oshawa pharmacy robbery evolved into a aerial pursuit by the Durham Police helicopter Air1.
Two teenage boys entered the Bond Street IDA pharmacy in Oshawa the evening of March 3 and demanded narcotic drugs. When the robbery proved unsuccessful, the pair fled the scene in a waiting getaway car, described as a white Mercedes.
Police responded by 5:51 p.m. and searched the area for the suspects but were unsuccessful.
Later that evening, the Mercedes was spotted in Pickering. The car’s plates indicated it had been stolen from Toronto. DRPS dispatched the Air1 chopper to track the getaway car, following the trio as they crossed into York Region.
Air1 tracked the Mercedes down Highway 407 as it drove over 160 km/h along the 100 km/h roadway.
The Mercedes was found in the parking lot of a Markham IDA pharmacy near Highway 7 and Cosburn Road. The suspects moved to leave the parking lot before police could box the vehicle in.
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Police say the suspects rammed a police cruiser in their attempt to escape. All three then booked it from the scene on foot in different directions, but were rounded up by officers without incident.
One ran into officers who had blocked the south side entrance of the parking lot and was tackled to the ground by a waiting officer.
Another fled eastbound down Highway 7, eventually hiding behind a tree while lit up bright as day by the choppers thermal imaging. The teen surrendered to police when they caught up.
The third arrest was not shown in the footage DRPS released.
The three teenagers, a 15-year-old, a 16-year old, and a 17-year-old, have been charged with numerous offences including; robbery, disguise with intent, attempted robbery, possession obtained by crime over $5,000 and flight from police.
All three will remain in custody until their bail hearings. As minors, their identities are protected by the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
Anyone with information pertinent to this investigation can call Cst. O’Halloran at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 3843, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
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