BY KELLY ROCHE
A real life version of Grand Theft Auto took place between Mississauga and Hamilton overnight, ending in three arrests after a spree of gunpoint robberies and carjackings.
A 19-year-old and two youths – all from Brampton – have been arrested and are facing more than two dozen charges, after a little help from a police dog named Arrow.
The suspects are accused of arming themselves with replica handguns and covering their faces with scarves.
It started at a Mac’s convenience store at Glen Erin Dr. and Britannia Rd. in Meadowvale at 11:25 p.m. Tuesday.
That’s where three suspects allegedly “brandished some handguns and then proceeded to remove a quantity of cigarettes, and fled in a stolen red Honda Civic,” said Peel Police Const. Lori Murphy.
Fifteen minutes later, the suspects hit the Petro Canada gas station at Erin Mills Pkwy. and Credit Valley Rd.
Police allege they “brandished handguns again and were able to make away with a quantity of cash and more cigarettes,” said Murphy.
The clerk’s car was stolen and the suspects fled.
“The vehicle was located a couple of blocks away, and recovered,” said Murphy
“The keys as well.”
A third gunpoint robbery saw the suspects again make off with cash and cigarettes.
An employee was threatened and assaulted by the suspects but was not seriously injured, said Halton Police.
The fourth and final robbery took place at 1 a.m. at Tim Hortons at Wyecroft Rd. and Dorval Dr, in which an employee was threatened and assaulted by the suspects, but not seriously injured.
The suspects drove back to Mississauga, and tried to carjack a woman in Port Credit, at Lakeshore Rd. W. and Mississauga Rd.
They were unsuccessful and targeted the next driver, taking off in his white Toyota Yaris.
The other two suspects fled on foot and were tracked by the canine unit a short time later.
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