York police: Robbery, carjacking, chase ends with suspect in custody

York Regional Police apprehend a suspect after he allegedly broke into a convenience store, carjacked a victim at an intersection, and then led officers on a pursuit that ended in flames early on Wednesday, May 12, 2013. (Tom Stefanac / CTV News)

York Regional Police say a suspect is in custody after he broke into a convenience store, carjacked a victim at an intersection, and then led officers on a pursuit that ended in flames early Wednesday morning.

Officers first encountered the suspect when they interrupted an early-morning burglary at a variety store near Yonge and Silverwood Avenue in Richmond Hill at about 4:50 a.m., but he took off on a motorcycle.

A short time later, the motorcycle collided with a Lexus sport utility vehicle on Yonge.

After a physical confrontation with the driver of the Lexus, the suspect stole the sport utility vehicle and sped off, dragging the motorcycle under the Lexus and leaving a trail of parts as he travelled north on Yonge, police told CP24.

The motorcycle erupted in flames as it was being dragged.

Officers pursued the fleeing vehicle, but they lost sight of it because there was so much smoke from the burning motorcycle, said police spokesman Const. Blair McQuillan.

Eventually, the suspect ditched the Lexus, which sustained significant damage in the fire, and ran off near Yonge and Bloomington.

The suspect ran onto railway tracks as he was being tracked by police, delaying at least one Toronto-bound GO Transit train, police told CTV Barrie.

Officers eventually located and arrested the suspect, who was stained with mud after running into the bush, during a search of the area. He was taken to a local hospital, where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Police said a 28-year-old Toronto man is facing charges.