by eyetee | July 21, 2008 12:00 am
A jewellery store owner says he is reviewing security procedures following an attempted robbery that began with an employee and his family being bound and gagged at gunpoint in a brazen home invasion.
Greg Buzbuzian, owner of Knar Jewellery in Oakville, Ont., says that although there is no concern the suspect will return, he’s hired full-time security to guard the store. He is also taking another look at security at his Guelph and Waterloo locations and considering implementing two-person codes and other measures.
“We’ve been through a few incidents before,” he told Jewellery Business. “We’ve had armed hold-ups at the other locations, but nothing like this.”
Police say an armed man forced his way into the Burlington home of store manager Jon Walker, striking his wife in the jaw and tying her up. The couple’s seven-month-old baby was also home.
When Walker arrived home around 7 p.m., the suspect overtook him, leaving him bound and gagged and making off with his car, the keys to the store, security codes, and the combination to the safe. The man also removed all the telephones in the home.
An hour later, the couple freed themselves and called police from a neighbour’s house.
Officers rushed to the home and searched the area, while the police tactical unit surrounded the store. Around 11:30 p.m, police set off tear gas and concussion grenades before entering the store. They found ceiling tiles had been removed in the kitchen and another unit. A search of the roof and neighbouring businesses turned up nothing.
Buzbuzian said the family is doing well and trying to put it all behind them. No one was seriously hurt, however, the wife was treated for an injury to her jaw and later released from hospital.
“They seem to be doing okay,” Buzbuzian said. “Jon has returned to work. When I spoke to him, he seemed to realize it’s an unfortunate and, hopefully, a very isolated incident. As far as his wife goes, she seemed okay too, but she was alone with [the suspect] for 3.5 hours. She had more time to worry.”
Investigators believe the robbery was premeditated and that the family was targeted.
“It’s a great business and we love the industry,” Buzbuzian said. “This is one of the unfortunate parts of it. You just have to take all the precautions you can. It’s one of those things you think happens in a big American city. But then you realize it can happen anywhere.”
Police continue their search for the suspect and are reviewing the store’s video surveillance. No jewellery was stolen in the robbery attempt.
Source URL: https://www.jewellerybusiness.com/news/attempted-robbery-qan-unfortunate-part-of-the-industryq-says-store-owner/
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