Fake police lights used in attempted carjacking in Pickering

A man has been arrested after an attempted carjacking in Pickering using fake police cars.

Durham emergency services got a 911 call shortly before midnight on June 9. The caller reported three men held them at gunpoint near Taunton Road and New Whites Road, a busy area in the city’s new Seaton neighbourhood.

The trio had pulled up behind the caller in a pick-up while they headed east on Taunton Road. The truck activated flashing lights to imitate a police vehicle. As the two cars pulled over to the side of the road, a third car pulled up as well. This third car also activated flashing lights.

Three men approached the car, at least one of whom was armed. The trio tried to open the car’s doors but the victim did not believe them to be police. The victim didn’t see any police identifiers on the three men and did not cooperate. Next, the victim managed to drive around the other vehicles and escape.

Months later, investigators managed to identify a suspect. On Oct. 25, they arrested a man at a home in Richmond Hill in connection to the June carjacking.

Jalani Groves, 21 of no fixed address, is charged with robbery and breach of a release order. He remains in custody pending a bail hearing.

Anyone with information can call police at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5360 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).