York Regional Police say a suspect is in custody after he broke into a convenience store, carjacked a victim at an intersection, and then led officers on a pursuit that ended in flames early Wednesday morning.
Police were alerted to the break-in at a variety store near Yonge Street and Silverwood Avenue in Richmond Hill when the store's alarm sounded at about 4:50 a.m.
As police responded to the burglary, the suspect took off on a motorcycle and, a short time later, collided with a Lexus sport utility vehicle on Yonge.
After a physical confrontation with the driver of the Lexus, the suspect stole the sport utility vehicle and sped off, dragging the motorcycle under the Lexus and leaving a trail of parts as he travelled north on Yonge, police told CP24.
The motorcycle erupted in flames as it was being dragged.
Officers caught up and pursued the fleeing vehicle, but they lost sight of it because there was so much smoke from the burning motorcycle, said police spokesman Const. Blair McQuillan.
Eventually, the suspect ditched the flaming Lexus, which sustained significant damage in the fire, and ran off near Yonge and Bloomington Road.
A canine unit and helicopter were brought in to assist in the search.
The suspect ran onto railway tracks as he was being tracked by police, delaying at least one Toronto-bound GO Transit train, police told CTV Barrie.
Officers eventually located and arrested the suspect, who was stained with mud after running into the bush. He was taken to a local hospital, where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Police said a 28-year-old Toronto man is facing charges.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at 1-866-876-5423 ext. 7241 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
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