The Durham Regional Police Service has charged a 15-year-old Oshawa youth following a string of cell phone thefts tied to online marketplace transactions. The most recent incident took place on the evening of March 23, 2026, near Rossland Road East and Harmony Road North.
According to police, a victim had arranged to sell a cell phone through Facebook Marketplace. When the victim met the individuals, one suspect took the phone and fled the area on foot. When the victim attempted to chase the individual, a second suspect stepped in, threatened the victim with a knife, and prevented further pursuit. The victim did not suffer any physical injuries during the encounter.
Investigators from the East Crime Team and the Community Response Unit identified the youth as a suspect in at least three other similar theft cases in the community. On March 27, 2026, police arrested the 15-year-old and executed a search warrant at a residence, where they recovered the knife believed to have been used in the robberies.
The youth faces several charges, including four counts of theft under $5,000, four counts of possession of property obtained by crime, assault with a weapon, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, and trafficking in property obtained by crime under $5,000. The first suspect, who directly took the phone during the March 23 incident, has not been located and remains at large.
Police are continuing their investigation and encourage anyone with information to contact the department or provide an anonymous tip through Durham Regional Crime Stoppers. Officers are also reminding the public to use caution when meeting strangers for online transactions, suggesting the use of safe meeting zones, such as those often provided at police stations.
