Three teens charged in violent Markham bank robbery

Police have connected two of the three teenage boys charged in a violent bank robbery in Markham to additional robberies throughout the Greater Toronto Area.

York Regional Police officers responded to a robbery in progress at an RBC on Markham Rd. north of 16th Ave. on Wednesday night.

Investigators say three teens entered the bank armed with knives and firearms and ordered everyone to the ground. They then demanded cash from the safe.

Two employees of the bank were stabbed and two people were kicked in the face during the incident. All four were transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Police say the trio attempted to flee on foot, but a police canine unit quickly tracked them down to a house under construction.

Officers arrested the three boys and recovered two firearms and the vehicle believed to have been used in the robbery. Police say the vehicle had been stolen on Feb. 10 during a violent carjacking in Toronto.

Police charged a 13-year-old from Mississauga, a 15-year-old and a 16-year-old, both of no fixed address, with robbery with a firearm, aggravated assault, disguise with intent, unauthorized possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm knowing possession is unauthorized, possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm with ammunition, unauthorized possession of a prohibited device and possession of property obtained by crime.

The investigation is still ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact the York Regional Police at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 6630.