

Paul Johnston, CP24.com





York Regional Police have arrested a suspect sought in connection with a shooting at a Woodbridge café that left two people dead in June in a high-risk takedown south of Barrie.

Forty-seven-year-old Maria Voci and Christopher Desimone, 24, both of Vaughan, were fatally shot at Moka Café, located near Islington Avenue and Highway 7, shortly after 8 a.m. on June 24.

Two other people were also injured, however police did not want to identify them out of concern for their safety.

Police had previously said that the gunman had “a purpose” when he opened fire. Investigators also confirmed that a gaming operation – including card tables and electronic slot machines – was being operated out of the back of the establishment.

A few days after the shooting, police released several high-quality images of a suspect and suspect vehicle wanted in connection with the shooting.

The stolen vehicle – a black 2011 Nissan Versa – was subsequently located on a commercial property on Westmore Drive in Etobicoke on July 2.

It was stolen from the driveway of a home located in the Highway 401 and Centre Street North area, in the Town of Greater Napanee, approximately 240 kilometres away in June, police said.

In a release issued Friday afternoon, police confirmed that two suspects – one previously identified – had been arrested.

According to police, the suspects were arrested in a high-risk takedown after being stopped travelling north in a vehicle on Highway 400, between Mapleview Drive and Essa Road, shortly after 2 p.m.

No one was injured in the operation, York Regional Police Const. Andy Pattenden told CP24.

A witness described the takedown as ‘quite exciting and very frightening.’

“Two I guess unmarked, sort of older-looking SUVs came flying down the right side on the gravel with their blinkers on but no sirens or flashing lights or anything like that,” Mike Newton told CP24.

Two vehicles also appeared to come from the left side of the highway, Newton described, before the suspect vehicle was rammed from behind.

“We saw a combination of plain-clothes policemen, as well as I guess SWAT team-type people jump out. Some had guns and some had what looked like assault rifles, or machine guns of some sort.

“It happened very, very quickly,” he said.

“This arrest comes as a direct result of the hard work of the investigative team in our homicide unit,” York Regional Police Chief Eric Jolliffe said in a release.

“These men and women have been working tirelessly on this investigation since this tragic incident took place on June 24. We are appreciative of all the media coverage and assistance from the citizens of York Region and across the GTA for sharing the images of the suspect and with that assistance we were able to make this arrest.”

Jason Hay, 27, of Mississauga, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder.

He was armed with a firearm at the time of his arrest, police said.

A second previously unidentified suspect was also arrested in the takedown.

Twenty-five-year old Mississauga resident Tashari Bennett is charged with accessory after the fact and breach of recognizance.

Both are scheduled to appear in court in Newmarket tomorrow.

“This investigation is still ongoing. More charges are possible,” Pattenden said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 866-876-5423 ext. 2411 or Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).