Bank robbery leads to more charges for accused in 2 jewelry store heists in Mississauga

A man and a teen already in custody following smash-and-grab heists at jewelry stores in Mississauga are also responsible for a bank robbery in Toronto, investigators say.

The days-long crime spree started on Aug. 26 when the Toronto Police Service says a bank in the area of Royal York Road and Renault Crescent was held up by suspects armed with a hammer.

Two suspects entered a bank and jumped over the counter while a third suspect waited by the door as a lookout, police said.

“The suspects threatened the victims with a hammer and demanded cash,” police said of the hold-up. “Once cash was handed over, they all fled to their vehicle.”

Then on Aug. 26, Peel Regional Police say three suspects robbed a jewelry store inside South Common Mall in Mississauga.

In that heist, three masked culprits entered the store and began smashing display cases, investigators said, grabbing various pieces of jewelry before fleeing from the store.

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And then on Aug. 28, two suspects armed with what appeared to be a handgun and a hammer smashed display cases of a jewelry department at a store inside Erin Mills Town Centre in Mississauga.

Police tracked two of the Erin Mills smash-and-grab suspects to Toronto where arrests were made, saying they recovered a stolen vehicle in addition to items from the jewelry store robberies and a replica handgun.

Peel police said a 19-year-old male from Woodbridge and a youth who could not be identified were arrested and charged with multiple offences.

But investigators now say the youth accused in the Erin Mills robbery was found “in possession of a hammer and clothing used in the bank robbery.” This led police to lay additional charges against the teen and the 19-year-old who were both already in custody following the earlier robberies.

Ali-Cem Vural, 19, of Woodbridge, and a 15-year-old youth have been charged with additional offences including robbery with offensive weapon, disguise with intent, and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.

The youth cannot be named under provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

Police say the third suspect in the bank robbery is still at large and are asking anyone with tips to contact investigators.

Anyone with information about this incident can contact TPS by calling 416-808-2222. 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.

– With files from Declan Finucane