Police believe two ‘swarming’ assaults on teens in Oshawa’s north end may be connected

A swarming assault on a teenager by a gang of youth in north-east Oshawa has resulted in serious injuries for the victim and charges against a 17-year-old for robbery with violence, with police believing the same group was responsible for another assault just a few hours earlier.

Police say the victim was walking through a shopping plaza parking lot at Harmony and Taunton roads just before 12:30 a.m. on Tuesday when he was approached by a large group of youths. The victim, 17, tried to run away but was caught and police say the gang “assaulted him repeatedly,” before taking his cell phone and air pods.

The group of teens then fled the area before police arrived.

One member of the group was located and charged with robbery with violence. He was released on an undertaking.

The investigation is ongoing and police believe the same group of suspects were involved in an assault just to the north at about 10 p.m. Monday.

The victim in this attack was walking by Norman Powers Public School on Coldstream Drive when he was approached by a group of young men. One of the suspects got into a dispute with the victim and then assaulted him. The rest of the group then joined in on the swarming attack.

The victim was taken to the hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

Police are looking to speak with anyone who witnessed either of these assaults or engaged with the suspects. Anyone with cell phone, dash cam, surveillance footage, or information about this incident is asked to contact D/Cst. Snow at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 2817.

Anonymous information can be sent to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca. Tipsters may be eligible for a $2,000 cash reward.