A Paris Jewellers in Oshawa, Ont., suffered its second smash-and-grab robbery of the year.
The first robbery at the Oshawa Centre store occurred on Jan. 22, when two suspects entered the store and smashed glass display cases with hammers. In the meantime, a third suspect forced an employee to open the store’s safe. They stole more than $100,000 worth of merchandise, before joining a fourth suspect in a vehicle. Following a brief pursuit, police arrested all four suspects. A 21-year-old Toronto man, a 16-year-old boy from Mississauga, a 14-year-old boy from Brampton, and a 17-year-old boy from Etobicoke were all charged.
The most recent smash-and-grab robbery followed a similar pattern, though police have yet to ascertain if the two cases are connected. Four suspects entered the store in the evening, all armed with hammers. After smashing the display cases and collecting an undisclosed amount of jewellery, they fled the scene.
Using an Air1 police helicopter, responding officers were able to locate three of the four suspects hiding in the area. Police say they are teenagers—a 15-year-old and a 17-year-old from Toronto, and a 16-year-old from Brampton.
According to Global News, all three have been charged with robbery, disguise with intent, possession of a weapon for committing an offence, and possession of stolen property. Further, due to previous charges, all three suspects are currently under release orders and have been charged for breaching them.
Police have yet to locate the fourth suspect. He is described to be 16 to 20 years old, of slender build, and 1.8 m (6 ft) tall. At the time of the robbery, he was seen wearing all-black clothing.
