EDITORIAL: This article speaks for itself…home invasion by teens, one is 13 years old

Read the TorStar article and consider the effectiveness of the bail system and its bail levels in Ontario.

Seven teens charged in Vaughan home invasion

ALIYAH MARKO
STAFF REPORTER

A violent, targeted home invasion in Vaughan that was underway when police arrived, with suspects inside the residence and some wait­ing in stolen vehicles, has resulted in the arrests of seven teens, in­cluding a 13-year-old.

York Regional Police said a victim suffered serious injuries in the Fri­day night attack and was treated at the hospital. An eighth suspect in handcuffs escaped and is wanted. Three of the seven arrested were in breach of their bail conditions, including two young offenders. Officers on the ground and in a hel­icopter responded to a home in­vasion shortly after 9 p.m. in the Ventura Way and Beverley Glen Boulevard area. Police believe it was a targeted robbery.

Police said in a news release Sat­urday the suspects in the stolen ve­hicles tried to flee but crashed into police vehicles and then ran. Offi­cers caught four and took them into custody. One handcuffed male es­caped. Three were arrested inside the residence. The seven teens face more than 40 charges in connec­tion with the home invasion.

Two 18-year-old males face 13 charges, including assault with a weapon, robbery with a firearm, and disguise with intent. One was charged with failing to comply with a release order.

Four 17-year-old males face 26 charges, including robbery with a firearm, disguise with intent, and assault with a firearm. One was charged with failing to comply with the Youth Criminal Justice Act

A 13-year-old male also faces eight charges, including robbery with a firearm, disguise with intent, and assault with a weapon. He is also charged with failing to comply with a release order.

“This is another example of of­fenders being out on bail while committing serious criminal of­fences in our communities,” said Chief Jim MacSween. “The safety of our communities and the well­being of our officers requires a bail system that addresses repeat vio­lent offenders effectively while up­holding public trust.”