Armed jewelry store heist leads to car crash and charges for Mississauga man

What started as a smash-and-grab at a jewelry store ended with a car crash and the arrests of six people including a young man from Mississauga.

York Regional Police said officers responded to an armed robbery on Wednesday around 12 p.m. at a jewelry store in the area of McCowan Road and Highway 7 in Markham.

Police say suspects used hammers to smash glass display cases before making a getaway in a vehicle.

But while officers were headed to the scene, they responded to a rear-end crash involving a white Honda Civic, believed to be one of the suspect vehicles.

Police say multiple suspects fled from the crash after rear-ending a vehicle at the intersection of McCowan Road and Highway 7.

Officers gave chase on foot and say four suspects were quickly arrested while two others were found hiding in the washroom of a nearby restaurant.

The occupants of the other vehicle involved in the crash sustained minor injuries and were transported to hospital as a precaution, police said.

Four of the suspects arrested in the robbery are under the age of 18, while the other two are adults, including one from Mississauga.

Remario Murdock, 19, of Mississauga, Trevone Ball-Barnes, 19, of Toronto, and four boys between the ages of 15 and 17, all of Toronto, have been charged with robbery with an offensive weapon, disguise with intent and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.

Police say the Honda Civic was reported stolen on Nov. 10 from Toronto and a beige SUV is believed to be the second suspect vehicle involved in the incident.

Anyone with information about this incident can contact York Regional Police by calling 1-866-876-5423. 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.