Maple Leafs' Marner thanks fans, team for support in wake of 'scary' carjacking

Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Mitchell Marner plays against the Detroit Red Wings in the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022, in Detroit. (AP/file)

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner on Wednesday tweeted out thanks to "fans, friends and teammates" for "positive messages" in his first communication since he was a victim of a carjacking on Monday.

Marner, 25, added in the tweet his gratitude to the Leafs organization as well as the Toronto Police Services "for all their hard work in the ongoing investigation."

Marner called the incident "scary," "but we're safe and doing well. ... (Y)our support has meant the world to us."

Marner was not hurt in the carjacking that took place in the city's west end, the team said in a written statement Tuesday.

Toronto police said they do not confirm the identities of victims or witnesses in such cases but the force said it was investigating a carjacking that took place Monday evening in west Toronto.

A police source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Marner and his friend were robbed of their Land Rover at gunpoint outside a movie theatre by three suspects, two of whom were armed with handguns.

"The victims, a man and a woman in their 20s, were robbed at gunpoint for their vehicle. And that was the Land Rover that was stolen,'' Insp. Rich Harris told reporters on Tuesday afternoon.

"Trust me, when I tell you dedicated investigators are working on this feverishly and continue to review any and all evidence that we have so far.''

Harris noted that the victims in Monday evening's carjacking complied with the demands made of them and the suspects in the case made off with the vehicle.

"Evidence suggests this was a crime of opportunity,'' he said.

Harris said his unit has investigated 60 carjackings so far this year, while last year it investigated 59 for all of 2021.

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