OPP calls out 'absolutely egregious behaviour' as 2 teen boys arrested in Markham rock-throwing incidents

Two teenage boys have been arrested in connection with rock-throwing incidents last fall, the Ontario Provincial Police says.

Over a two-month stretch between September and November, the OPP said there were multiple instances in which rocks were reportedly thrown deliberately at moving vehicles.

From Sept. 20 to Nov. 12 alone, the OPP said its Aurora detachment had received 11 reports of rocks intentionally thrown at vehicles travelling along Highway 48.

Two people suffered life-threatening injuries as a result of one instance, police said, while nobody was injured in the other incident, which involved a GO Transit bus with no passengers on board.

"One of those persons is still suffering with life-altering injuries that will stay with them for the rest of their lives as a result of this absolutely egregious behaviour," said OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt. "We have no reason to understand what would motivate someone to cause this kind of damage and trauma to unsuspecting motorists."

Two 18-year-old boys, one from Markham and the other from Richmond Hill, were arrested on Wednesday, Schmidt said.

The pair have been charged with aggravated assault, mischief endangering life and mischief damage to property. They have since appeared in court, Schmidt said. 

Police are not identifying either person as they were both youths at the time of the incidents. 

Schmidt said the youths were the same two people arrested and charged by York Regional Police earlier this year in a separate investigation into rocks being thrown at vehicles in the Markham and Whitchurch-Stouffville areas. One person sustained minor injuries in that case.

York Regional Police said in January it had charged an 18-year-old and a 17-year-old with mischief under $5,000.