2 Quebec suspects arrested, 3rd wanted after Laval woman’s stolen car involved in mall heist
Posted February 16, 2023 11:37 am.
Last Updated February 16, 2023 1:26 pm.
Police in Ontario’s York Region arrested and charged two men from Quebec believed to be involved in an alleged robbery in Ontario that saw the perpetrators drive a stolen vehicle through the empty mall, leading to significant damage.
The incident happened on Feb. 1, just after 1 a.m., when police were notified of a break-in at the mall after a vehicle smashed through one of the glass entrances.
Police released mall surveillance footage that captured the unusual moments of the vehicle being driven in the empty mall and to an electronics store, where the suspects allegedly stole several items. Investigators said the suspects then drove through the mall and broke through the glass of another entrance, fleeing the scene.
No one was injured, but there was significant damage to the mall, police said.
BACKGROUND: Laval woman’s car involved in spectacular robbery in Ontario
The vehicle was later recovered with a Québec licence plate. A few hours later, police contacted the owner of the stolen car, Taylor-Anna Kobinger of Laval, informing her the vehicle involved was hers.
Police arrested two men from Quebec: 19-year-old Israel Muamba and 18-year-old O’Brian Grant. The men were taken into custody in Montreal and Ottawa and returned to York Region.
Grant and Muamba face several charges, including breaking and entering, theft of over $5,000 and mischief over $5,000.
WATCH: Suspects drive through empty Ontario mall
A Canada-wide warrant has been issued for a third man believed to be connected to the robbery. He’s been identified as 21-year-old Lesane Pillay of Quebec. He’s described as six-feet tall and roughly 155 pounds.
He has short hair and tattoos on his neck and arms. Pillay is believed to be in the Montreal area.
A Canada-wide warrant has been issued for a third suspect, Lesane Pillay. HANDOUT/York Regional Police
Car stolen in a Laval library parking lot
Kobinger says her car was stolen after placing a Facebook Marketplace ad.
The asking price for the 2011 Audi A4 was $12,500.
She arranged to meet a potential buyer around 2 p.m. in front of a library in Laval.
The “buyer” test drove the vehicle twice. During the second test, he began to drive dangerously, to the point where the woman was frightened, so she asked to change places with him.
“As soon as we wanted to switch place, the key was in my pocket,” recounted Kobinger. “My phone was on me. I guess it slipped out. We got out of the car. We went all the way to the back, and he ran back in and he pressed on the gas pedal, kinked the car for the doors to close. And I haven’t seen my car ever since.”
