Dramatic smash-and-grab jewelry store heists across the Greater Toronto Area this month appear to have expanded to southern Ontario.
The latest business to be hit occurred Wednesday afternoon at Conestoga Mall in Waterloo. Video shared to social media shows the suspects smashing glass cases inside Raffi Jewellers.
According to Waterloo Regional Police, officers responded to multiple reports of a robbery at approximately 4:20 p.m.
“Five unknown males entered a jewelry store with hammers and, what is believed to be bear mace,” police said in a statement. “The males began to smash display cases and steal property prior to police arrival.”
Cops with a neighbourhood patrol quickly responded and found the vehicle used in the heist, police said. None of the suspects were found inside the vehicle.
However, during a search of the area, one person was arrested.
Police believe the Waterloo robbery is connected to another jewelry store heist Monday night at a mall in Cambridge.
RECOMMENDED VIDEO
“Three unknown masked males entered the business armed with hammers, smashed the display cases and stole merchandise,” cops said.
“The suspects are believed to have fled the parking lot area in an awaiting getaway car.”
Investigators released images of the suspects.
Those robberies followed other similar incidents in the GTA in just the last two weeks.
The heists have some common attributes: groups of males typically decked out in black or dark clothing and with their faces covered. The suspects enter the store armed with hammers and start smashing display cases before escaping with thousands of dollars in merchandise.
On Monday, Toronto Police said six males used hammers to break the glass display cabinets at a jewelry store inside Fairview Mall just after 1 p.m.
The suspects fled to a waiting vehicle, but it was involved in a collision as it exited the mall’s property, cops said. They then got into another getaway vehicle.
According to police, all suspects were wearing masks and gloves to disguise their identity and the investigation is ongoing.
RECOMMENDED VIDEO
Meanwhile, police in York Region have initiated a traumatic incident response team this week following daytime jewelry store robberies in Richmond Hill and Markham earlier this month.
“The initiative intends to help residents feel secure and supported following traumatic events in local neighbourhoods, while enhancing community safety and the well-being of both residents and visitors,” police said.
On Dec. 2, thieves smashed display cases at a Peoples Jewellers inside Hillcrest Mall in the middle of the afternoon.
In a video shared to social media, one employee appears to be assaulted before crawling into an office room before thieves steal jewelry and run to an awaiting vehicle.
Two days later, Lukfook Jewellery at Markville Shopping Centre in Markham was targeted as a large group of thieves smashed the store’s glass walls after the doors were locked.
Two adults and four youths were subsequently charged. Police said a 19-year-old man and three teen boys were out on release orders.
At least six additional male suspects are being sought, four of whom were involved in the robbery and at least two were the getaway drivers, cops added.
The crime spree didn’t end there. On Tuesday afternoon, officers responded to a jewelry store robbery at Yonge St. and Levendale Rd. in Richmond Hill.
Police said three male suspects used hammers to smash glass cases and stole jewelry before they fled to a SUV driven by a fourth suspect.
One employee had minor injuries after being assaulted by one of the suspects.
However, a police helicopter helped locate the suspect vehicle travelling in Toronto and followed it to an apartment complex in the Hwy. 27 and Finch Ave. area.
The suspects fled into a wooded area and were arrested. Police said the vehicle used in the robbery was stolen.
Of the suspects charged, a 24-year-old man from Brampton and two 16-year-old boys were out on a combined 10 release orders. One of the teens was also on probation.