Mall shoppers stop armed jewellery store robbery leading to charges for trio from Brampton, police say

Shoppers at an Ontario mall jumped into action during an armed robbery last week holding three accused thieves from Brampton until officers arrived, police say.

The attempted smash-and-grab happened around 5 p.m. on Friday when three suspects came to the Highland Hills Mall in Kitchener in an SUV that had been stolen in Peel, Waterloo Regional Police said.

That’s when the suspects entered a jewellery store and used a hammer to smash display cases, stealing merchandise before fleeing the shop.

But police say the robbers didn’t get far before members of the public who witnessed the robbery stepped in. The Good Samaritans detained the three suspects in a mall hallway until police arrived on the scene and “took over the arrests,” police said.

No one suffered any physical injuries in the altercation and police say the three suspects, identified as young males from Brampton, were arrested and charged.

Waterloo Regional Police say a 15-year-old, a 16-year-old and an 18-year-old, all from Brampton, have been charged with robbery with a weapon, disguise with intent, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.

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All three males were held in police custody for a bail hearing.

Investigators are still searching for the driver of the stolen SUV, who fled before police arrived. The vehicle is described as a black 2024 Jeep Wrangler with the Ontario licence plate number CZXZ 122.

Anyone with information on the fourth suspect or the suspect vehicle is asked to contact Waterloo police by calling 519-570-9777. Anonymous tips may also be provided to Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-8477 or visiting www.ontariocrimestoppers.ca.

When you contact Crime Stoppers you stay anonymous, never have to testify, and could receive a $2,000 reward.