Three charged after security truck guard ambushed, shot in heist
TORONTO — An armoured car guard is in critical condition after being shot several times during a robbery attempt in Toronto early Thursday, and police say he and his partner were also targeted earlier this month by the same suspects.
Toronto police Staff Insp. Mike Earl said the 37-yearold guard was “ambushed” by three males as the Garda World security truck pulled up to service a TD Bank branch in the Avenue Road and Lawrence Avenue area.
“There were numerous shots fired in this incident that lasted approximately less than a minute — 40 seconds, 45 seconds,” said Earl, noting the number of shots fired was “in the double digits.”
Earl said the guard, who returned fire, took four rounds to the body and was undergoing surgery. He said a second guard never got out of the truck — which went into lockdown — and the suspects fled on foot.
Three men, all 18 years old, were later arrested and are facing multiple charges, including attempted murder.
Police allege the same three suspects also attempted to rob a Garda World truck operated by the same pair of guards in the same area on June 5, also in the early morning hours.
“It happens to be that it’s the same victims in this case that were targeted,” said Earl. “These individuals no doubt planned this and attempted this on an earlier date. And today they tried and made a similar attempt which resulted in a shootout.”
He said there’s no indication the shooters were looking for these particular guards.
Earl said a handgun was seized during the arrests
In addition to attempted murder charges, the three suspects are each charged with two counts of armed robbery, conspiracy, wearing a disguise with intent and seven firearms-related offences.