4 arrested outside Doug Ford's home accused of planning to steal his vehicle
Officers in Toronto have arrested four people, including a 16-year-old boy, after police allege they were found planning to steal a vehicle from Ontario Premier Doug Ford's driveway early Tuesday morning.
Around 12:30 a.m., police said officers saw people in a vehicle wearing masks and slowing down as it approached a driveway in the area of Lawrence Avenue West and Royal York Road, the area where Ford lives.
A spokesperson for Toronto police confirmed that the incident was believed to be targeting Ford's home address.
Police said they initiated a vehicle stop and one of the suspects got out of the car to run. Inside the car, they said they found a key reprogramming device and a programmable master key.
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Police said suspects were arrested in the vehicle, and another was caught soon after. Two were 23-year-old men from Toronto, another was 17, and the fourth was a 16-year-old, according to police.
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All were charged with auto theft-related offences. Each faces a charge of possessing an electronic device for motor vehicle theft and unlawfully possessing an automobile master key, while one was also charged with failure to comply with an undertaking and resisting arrest.
Ford raised the story unprompted at an unrelated news event on Tuesday, describing a high-octane chase as the suspects came 'racing' down the street.
'You want to hear about stupid criminals?' Ford said. 'So four thugs come racing down my street, masks on, ready to take the car out of the driveway. Surprise, surprise, at 12:30, the two police cars are there, the chase is on.'
Ford said the interaction reinforced his view that Ontario is 'turning into a lawless society' and the justice system needs to be reformed with harsher sentences for auto thefts and carjackings.
The premier is provided protection by the OPP, with Toronto police officers also stationed at his address.
'Just imagine all the unfortunate people that don't have security at their house,' he said.
'That's my rant, I'm sick and tired of the weak justice system that we have. They have to get a backbone, and we need to start throwing these people in jail.'
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Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The premier of Ontario. It's not every day a guy up on charges for improper firing of a gun gets the backing of Ontario's top lawmaker. In fact, Doug Ford says the 35-year-old man who is facing criminal charges deserves a 'medal' for protecting his property. 'Did you hear about the guy? These thugs that came up, ready to steal his car? They're all their masked and everything,' Ford told reporters Monday. 'So, I guess he's a hunter or something and he shot up in the air. I don't recommend that by the way. But he gets charged. I've got to find out this guy's name and number, and I'm going to hold a fundraiser for lawyer fees for him.' 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