Three teen suspects, all under 17 years old, face a long list of charges following a violent armed bank robbery Wednesday in Markham.

York Region police say four bank employees were injured in the robbery that took place just before 8 p.m. at the Royal Bank branch located at 16th Avenue and Markham Road.

The suspects reportedly ordered people inside the bank to the ground and demanded access to the bank's vault.

During the robbery, two employees were stabbed, including one man who suffered serious, but non-life threatening injuries, according to Staff Sgt. Marc Hilliker.

It is believed two of the employees were kicked in the face.

The other two employees suffered what appeared to be trauma from blunt objects, he said.

Three of the four employees were taken to hospital while one was taken to a trauma centre.

Police blocked the suspects getaway vehicle, forcing them to flee on foot out the rear of the bank. The trio of suspects were captured hiding at a nearby house under within 45 minutes of response from several police units. The vehicle is believed to have been stolen Feb. 10 in a violent carjacking in Toronto.

The teens have been charged with robbery with a firearm, aggravated assault, disguise with intent, unauthorized possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm knowing possession is unauthorized, possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm with ammunition, unauthorized possession of a prohibited device and possession of property obtained by crime.

The robbery is the latest in a string of bank robberies across York Region and the GTA in recent months. In this instance, however, the level of violence was escalated, Hilliker said.

“This is consistent with their MO in that they do it just before closing,” said Hilliker. “But there is definitely an escalation from the violence we have seen them doing.”

A police spokesperson said approximately 20 bank robberies have been reported already in 2020. In 2019, a record 17 bank robberies were reported by this time.

Police are working to connect the group to other incidents in the GTA.

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