VIDEO: Thieves use hammers in ‘smash-and-grab’ jewelry heists in Mississauga, Brampton
Published January 29, 2024 at 12:48 pm
One man has been charged and police are hunting three others after a pair of “smash-and-grab” robberies targeted jewelry stores in Mississauga and Brampton.
Peel Regional Police say the latest robbery took place on Jan. 17 at a store inside Square One Shopping Centre in Mississauga.
Back on Dec. 8, thieves targeted a jewelry store at Bramalea City Centre. That robbery was caught on video (see below).
In the Square One heist, four masked men armed with hammers burst into a jewelry store just before 4 p.m. and began smashing display cases and grabbing jewelry pieces, police said in a news release on Monday.
They quickly fled the store with an undisclosed amount of jewelry.
Police said it was fortunate that none of the employees of the store were physically injured.
Robbery investigators are also hunting those responsible for the December heist in Brampton.
In that incident, which took place at about 8:10 p.m. and was caught on video, three masked men are seen ushering employees and others out of the store before smashing display cases with hammers and grabbing items.
There were also no physical injuries to employees or others in that incident, police say.
Peel police say they arrested one man last Thursday in connection with the robberies.
Josiah Madurie, 21, of Toronto, is charged with two counts each of robbery, wear disguise and breach of recognizance, and one count possession of stolen property.
He was held pending a bail hearing in Brampton court.
Police say the investigation continues as they search for three additional suspects.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Central Robbery Bureau at 905-453-2121, ext. 3410, or Peel Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477.
Meanwhile, police elsewhere are investigating a number of similar jewelry store robberies in their regions.
One such heist targeted a Birks jewelry store at Mapleview Shopping Centre in Burlington on Jan. 21.
Police have not said if there are any connections between the incidents in Peel and other areas.
Josiah Madurie, 21, of Toronto, is charged with robbery. (Photo: Peel Regional Police)