18-year-old, 16-year-old charged in Mississauga ‘violent carjacking spree,’ police say

Raheem McNish, 18, is facing charges in connection with carjackings in Mississauga. (Peel Regional Police)

A 16-year-old and an 18-year-old are accused of being responsible for a “violent carjacking spree” in Mississauga that saw victims being thrown to the ground, punched and kicked.

Peel Regional Police said the first incident happened on Sept. 27 in a plaza near Erin Mills Parkway and Folkway Drive, north of Burnhamthorpe Road West.

Two suspects allegedly approached a woman as she was getting out of her 2011 Mitsubishi, threw her to the ground and punched her in the face.

The suspects then fled using the victim’s vehicle, which police said was recovered the day after.

The second incident occurred on Oct. 2 in the area of Erin Mills Parkway and Eglinton Avenue West. As the driver was returning to his 2025 Hyundai Tucson, two suspects allegedly armed with scissors approached him and tried to stab him while attempting to steal his keys, police said.

The victim was able to hop into his vehicle and lock the doors, prompting the suspects to flee.

Later that day, the same suspects approached another driver walking towards his 2025 Nissan Sentra and demanded his keys.

Police said a struggle ensued, resulting in the driver being thrown to the ground and kicked. The suspects ended up not getting the keys and left the area.

Officers responded and, following a search, they located the suspects in the backyard of a nearby house and took them into custody.

Meanwhile, the victims suffered minor injuries, police said.

In a news release on Thursday, one suspect was identified as 18-year-old Raheem McNish of Brampton. The other suspect is 16 years old and cannot be named under the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

They’ve both been charged with robbery, wearing a disguise while committing an indictable offence and failure to comply with a sentence or disposition. The charges have not been tested in court.