Armed robberies hit Richmond Hill, Bowmanville and Burlington in string of Ontario crimes
Three suspects are sought after an armed robbery at a Richmond Hill business, while two Mississauga men face charges in a Bowmanville home invasion. A Burlington jewelry store was also hit.
Three separate violent incidents strike Ontario communities within days
Toronto Sun Crime reports a wave of violent crimes across southern Ontario, including an armed commercial robbery in Richmond Hill, a brutal home invasion in Bowmanville, and a brazen smash-and-grab at a Burlington jewelry store.
Richmond Hill: Armed trio flees with safe
York Regional Police are asking the public to help identify three male suspects following an armed robbery at a retail business in Richmond Hill earlier this month.
Officers responded at approximately 2:10 p.m. on Nov. 4 to the area of West Beaver Creek Rd. and Hwy. 7, where three men had entered a business, produced firearms, and demanded cash. The suspects took a safe before fleeing in a white Honda Odyssey minivan — described as having no front licence plate and damage to the passenger-side rear wheel well. No injuries were reported.
Police describe all three suspects as Asian males who spoke Mandarin and covered their faces with medical masks.
The first suspect wore a black puffer jacket, black jogging pants with white side markings, a black hoodie, white high-top shoes with red markings, and white gloves. He carried a black firearm. The second wore a black toque, navy raincoat, navy shorts bearing a red Adidas logo, ankle socks, and a single white glove on his right hand, and held a brown firearm. The third suspect wore a black toque, black sunglasses, a navy sweater, black pants, and white shoes with black sides; he also carried a firearm.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Hold-Up Unit at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 6630.
Bowmanville: Two Mississauga men charged after violent home invasion
Two men from Mississauga — both prohibited from possessing firearms — have been charged following a violent home invasion in Bowmanville on Thursday, Durham Regional Police said. A third suspect remains at large.
Officers responded around 1:40 p.m. to the area of Meadowview Blvd. and Scugog St. after reports of an armed person. Three males armed with firearms had forced entry into a residence and assaulted the homeowner.
As police arrived, the suspects fled the scene. A brief chase led to the arrest of one individual, who was found in possession of a firearm fitted with a prohibited over-capacity magazine. A second suspect was arrested later without incident. A third suspect — described as a Black male with a heavy build — was not located despite an extensive search involving tactical, canine, and drone units.
The homeowner was transported to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. A responding officer suffered minor injuries from a dog bite during the operation.
Larone Carlton Whyte, 37, and Elijah Shaun Latham, 30, each face charges of assault causing bodily harm, break and enter, pointing a firearm, disguise with intent, robbery, uttering threats, and possessing a restricted or prohibited firearm without a licence. Whyte faces additional charges of possessing a prohibited device and possessing a firearm contrary to a court order. Latham is also charged with failing to comply with a release order.
Police are asking anyone with cellphone footage, dash cam recordings, or surveillance video related to the incident to contact the Auto Robbery Crime Unit at 1-888-579-1520, ext. 5355.
Burlington: Four suspects sought in jewelry store smash-and-grab
Halton Regional Police are searching for four suspects following a daylight robbery at Kris Jewelers on Brant St. at Upper Middle Rd. in Burlington on Tuesday.
At approximately 1:30 p.m., four individuals used hammers and an axe to shatter the store's glass door before smashing numerous display cases and making off with multiple pieces of jewelry. The group fled east on Upper Middle Rd. in a dark grey Acura SUV, which police recovered the following day in Burlington. The vehicle had previously been reported stolen from Toronto.
All four suspects are described as males wearing dark clothing and face coverings; three of them also carried backpacks. No store employees were injured.
Police are asking anyone with security or dash cam footage from the area at the time of the robbery to contact the 3 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4777, ext. 2316.
Barrie: Forklift joyride causes extensive building damage
In a separate incident, two 21-year-old men are facing charges after a forklift was driven through a Barrie building last weekend.
Barrie Police said officers received a report on Sunday of unknown individuals inside a building on Bradford St. near Vespra St. Upon arrival, one suspect was arrested as he tried to flee. Surveillance footage showed two men had operated a forklift inside the building, causing extensive damage to both the structure and the equipment. Evidence also indicated a fire extinguisher had been discharged indoors.
The second suspect identified himself to police the following day. The men, from Mississauga and Barrie respectively, are each charged with mischief over $5,000 and break and enter to commit an indictable offence. Two additional individuals identified in connection with the incident were released without charges after speaking with police.
Source: Toronto Sun Crime