STRATFORD – Four people were in custody after another smash-and-grab robbery at a Stratford mall jewelry store that has been targeted three times in the last 13 months.
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Stratford police were called to Paris Jewellers at 6 p.m. on Wednesday after receiving multiple 911 calls reporting a theft at the business, which is located just inside one of the mall’s entrances.
Witnesses said five people robbed the store, smashing protective glass cases and stealing an unknown amount of items. One employee suffered minor injuries, police said, and the suspects drove off in a white Honda CRV.
Stratford police officers alerted nearby police about the incident, and the vehicle was located less than an hour later at the Sunrise Shopping Centre parking lot in Kitchener.
Four suspects were arrested and taken to Stratford police headquarters, where they were held pending a bail hearing. Stratford police and Waterloo Regional Police searched the area for a fifth suspect, who had not yet been found.
Stratford police thanked Ontario Provincial Police and Waterloo Regional Police for their assistance. Paris Jewellers staff and witnesses also provided information that led to the quick arrests, police said.
Victim Services Huron-Perth was contacted to provide support to those affected by the robbery, police said. Further information will be released when available, police said late Wednesday. Anyone who witnessed the incident and has yet to speak with Stratford police is asked to contact them at 519-271-4141.
Wednesday’s incident was the latest in a string of robberies at the store. More than $135,000 in jewelry was recovered and returned last January after four men, dressed in black and wearing masks and hoods, were in and out in less than a minute.
Two men, both 21, were arrested a day later in Niagara Falls. One of the men was in possession of a 9mm handgun, police said. In November, police said an unknown man went to Paris Jewellers and took an unknown amount of jewelry before running off. That incident wasn’t connected to the January heist, police noted.