Witnesses injured in Niagara smash-and-grab

by Tamanna Bhasin | January 20, 2025 10:02 am

Suspects entering the jewellery store. Photo courtesy Niagara Regional Police Service.

Five suspects are on the run after reportedly using a sledgehammer to steal jewellery from Griffin Jewellery at the Pen Centre in St. Catharines, Ont.

Niagara Regional Police report five suspects entered the store and used a small sledgehammer to smash display cases, swiftly grabbing jewellery and placing it into bags they had brought with them.

Some witnesses attempted to intervene, prompting the suspects to flee the scene. During the chase, one witness collided with a mall column and was taken to a local hospital with minor injuries. Two other witnesses were sprayed with an irritant resembling pepper spray but were treated on-site.

The suspects, all wearing hooded sweatshirts and masks, left the mall through an east exit and drove off in a silver Honda CRV with an Ontario license plate that was later found to be registered to a different vehicle. The vehicle was last seen heading toward Chestnut Street West.

No further details have been released about the suspects or their whereabouts. Anyone with information is urged to contact the relevant authorities.

Source URL: https://www.jewellerybusiness.com/news/witnesses-injured-in-niagara-smash-and-grab/