Ottawa police have arrested a teenager in connection with a car-jacking and two break-and-enters on Christmas Eve.
Police said they arrested a 17-year-old boy on Friday in connection with another investigation.
He is charged with robbery, forcible confinement, choking, two counts of break and enter and theft under $5,000 in connection with the incident which began in Orleans.
Police said a woman was approached by two males on an OC Transpo bus and then followed to her car, where she agreed to give them a ride and let one drive.
It was then that the woman reported being choked and left on the side of Tenth Line Road as the pair sped off.
"The woman was choked almost to the point of unconsciousness, pulled out of a car and dumped on the side of the road," said Mike Haarbosch. "It was very violent."
Police said the two males then robbed two homes in the 1600 block of Ninth Line Road in Metcalfe, looking for a vehicle to replace the one they had which had run out of gas.
"It was a low blow when it happened Christmas Eve and spoiled someone's Christmas," said Barry Denison, one of the victims. "Especially children's gifts and stuff."
Ottawa police then took up a collection to replace the stolen gifts, a gesture the Denisons said they're thinking of when they send good wishes to the teen under arrest.
"It's kind of sad that the young gentleman has to start his life off like this," Barry said. "I'd like to see him start anew, that would probably be our best Christmas present."
A second suspect is still at large, described as a black man between 20 and 25 years old wearing an olive green sweatshirt.
Anyone with information can call the Ottawa police’s robbery unit at 613-236-1222 extension 5116 or Crime Stoppers at 613-233-8477.
With a report from CTV Ottawa's Joanne Schnurr
