Two Toronto men are facing a long list of charges after a stolen vehicle investigation that began in Whitby and ended with a foot chase in Ajax, according to the Durham Regional Police Service.
What happened
Police say officers from Central West Division launched a proactive crime reduction initiative in the Williamsburg area of Whitby in the early morning hours of Tuesday, October 27, 2026, targeting vehicle theft.
At about 2:55 a.m., investigators located two stolen vehicles leaving the area, police said. The vehicles were later found in Ajax, where officers boxed them in. Both suspects then fled on foot.
After a brief foot pursuit, police service dog Rocky apprehended one of the suspects and both men were arrested. No injuries were reported in the police account of the arrests.
The charges
Jaylen Lake, 24, of Toronto, is charged with two counts of theft of a motor vehicle, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, dangerous operation, possession of break-in instruments, possession of an electronic device for motor vehicle theft, and driving while suspended.
Genura Yapa, 23, also of Toronto, faces the same core charges — two counts of theft of a motor vehicle, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, dangerous operation, possession of break-in instruments, and possession of an electronic device for motor vehicle theft — along with four counts of failing to comply with a release order and one count of failing to comply with a probation order.
Police say the fail-to-comply charges against Yapa stem from an earlier vehicle theft investigation.
Police appeal for footage
Investigators are asking anyone with cell phone, dash cam or surveillance footage, or information about the incident, to contact the Auto Robbery Crime Unit at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5355.
Durham Regional Police Service noted that the information in its release comes from an ongoing police investigation and that the allegations have not yet been proven in court.
