Durham Regional Police say two 14-year-old boys from Oshawa have been arrested and charged after a knifepoint robbery Wednesday evening that began as a meeting to buy a cellphone.
Incident unfolded during an online sale
Police were called at about 5:45 p.m. to the area of Hillcrest Drive and Dean Avenue, near Highway 401 and Wilson Road South, after a reported robbery. Investigators say the victim had arranged to meet a seller advertising a cellphone on an online marketplace. During the exchange, a second person approached and allegedly threatened the buyer with a knife while demanding the victim’s wallet. The victim was not physically injured, police said.
Drone tracking led to arrests
Officers who attended the scene deployed a police drone to assist in the search. The drone team located the suspects entering a vehicle and followed it until officers were able to conduct a traffic stop. Police say the occupants fled the stopped vehicle and ran into a nearby neighbourhood, but the drone continued to track them until officers caught up and made arrests after a brief foot pursuit.
“The suspects fled during the traffic stop, but the drone tracked them through a neighbourhood,”
In a Friday news release, Durham Regional Police confirmed both youths were taken into custody and charged. The force did not provide names, citing the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
Charges and next steps
According to the police release, the two 14-year-old boys face the following charges:
- Robbery
- Possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000
One of the youths is additionally charged with disguise with intent and unlawful possession of a Schedule I substance. No details were released on the nature of the controlled substance.
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| About 5:45 p.m. | Call to police reporting a robbery at Hillcrest Drive and Dean Avenue |
| Shortly after | Drone deployed; located suspects entering a vehicle |
| Following | Traffic stop initiated; suspects fled on foot; drone tracked them through neighbourhood |
| After a brief pursuit | Both suspects arrested and charged |
Local impact and policing tools
The use of an aerial drone underscores a growing reliance by regional police services on technology to locate suspects and manage public-safety incidents in urban neighbourhoods. For Oshawa residents, the case raises familiar concerns: online marketplace transactions, youth involvement in violent crimes and public safety near major corridors such as Highway 401.
Police reminded residents who buy or sell goods online to use caution. Meeting in well-lit public places, bringing a friend and letting someone know the meeting details are common safety recommendations from law-enforcement agencies; Durham Regional Police did not list a specific set of tips in this release.
The charges laid will be processed through the youth justice system. Because the accused are under the age of 18, their identities are protected and different rules govern disclosure, custody and court processes than would apply to adult defendants.
Durham Regional Police did not provide further information on the alleged weapon beyond that a knife was used to threaten the victim, nor did they say whether any property was recovered. The investigation remains active.
As the city prepares for another school year and more online marketplace transactions, parents and residents are likely to watch how police balance technology, patrols and community outreach to address youth-involved crime in Oshawa.
