Video has surfaced on X of Toronto cops arresting an alleged carjacker.
The chaotic scene shows a number of people swarming a Toyota Corolla and police removing a suspect from the vehicle.
According to various statistics, carjacking is a persistent and growing issue in Toronto. Police Chief Myron Demkiw said the problem more than doubled in the first few months of 2024.
"The violence associated with auto thefts in Toronto and across the GTA is a concerning trend, and can be incredibly traumatic for victims and their loved ones," he said in a press conference.
Demkiw noted that police aim to arrest and hold perpetrators accountable, "and we're doing so on a very significant scale,” he said.
Around 12,000 vehicles were reported stolen in Toronto in 2023 — 34 per day —marking a major uptick in auto thefts from 8,705 in 2022.
According to Interpol, Canada has emerged as a significant source country for stolen vehicles due to its supply of sought-after models like SUVs and crossovers.
"Many of the vehicles are shipped to the Middle East and West Africa, where they are traded or re-sold," writes Interpol.