The 39-year-old Alliston, Ont., man accused of a brazen broad daylight carjacking and theft of a four-year-old Labrador retriever named “Roxy” appeared in detention center court Friday from Toronto South via zoom. He was wearing an orange jumpsuit and looked visibly upset.
Global News has learned through documents that Wayne Russell, who will remain in custody at least until his next court appearance on Monday, was born on December 14, 1984, meaning he will celebrate his 40th birthday behind bars.
Russell is facing charges in connection with an incident that occurred Wednesday morning. Toronto resident Josh Miller was sitting in his Jeep Grand Cherokee just before 9 a.m. waiting to leave Bloorlea Middle School after dropping off his daughter when he was approached by a stranger who ran toward his SUV.
“He said ‘get out of the car right now or I’ll have to hurt the kids,’ something to that effect,” Miller told Global News on Wednesday. “He actually apologized. He said “I’m sorry I have to do this but they fucked up my life” or something like that. “Don’t worry, the insurance will cover everything. »
The Jeep was found near Hurontario Street and Mayfield Road in Brampton around 11 p.m. Wednesday, but Roxy was not inside.
Receive national news daily
Get the day’s top news, politics, business and current affairs headlines delivered to your inbox once a day.
On Thursday, shortly after releasing photos of the suspect and the dog, police said they received a tip from a passerby and were taken to an unknown location in Brampton where Russel was arrested and Roxy was found safe. health.
Court documents obtained by Global News reveal Russell was wanted on an arrest warrant by Peel Regional Police after he failed to appear in Brampton court on two outstanding charges.
On April 20, 2024, Russell allegedly set fire to a trash can at the William Osler Health Center and was charged with arson causing property damage. Three months later, Russell was charged with unlawful residence in a dwelling house in the City of Brampton.
Global News has learned that Russell has previous convictions for weapons, assault and death threats.
Russell is now charged with robbery, possession of property obtained by crime worth more than $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime worth less than $5,000 and failure to comply with a restraining order. probation.
Court documents allege the property obtained by crime over $5,000 was the motor vehicle owned by Miller and the property obtained by crime under $5,000 was “namely the dog.”
The probation violation relates to a probation order issued July 3 when a court ordered Russell “to keep the peace and be of good behavior.”
© 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.