Five teenagers have been charged in connection with the robbery of a jewellery store in Barrie.
Around 2:30 p.m. on Friday, police received multiple reports of a robbery occurring at a jewellery store inside the Georgian Mall.
"Callers reported that five suspects were smashing display cases at a jewellery store near the food court, and had sprayed an unknown substance in the air," police stated in a news release on Monday.
The suspects fled on foot, but one of them, a 14-year-old boy from Toronto, was held down by off-duty police officers, and arrested at the scene.
The other four males fled in a vehicle that had been reported stolen from Toronto. The vehicle was spotted by provincial police in Essa Township a short time later and failed to stop for officers.
The vehicle was found in a ditch a short distance away, and two other suspects, a 15-year-old from Toronto and a 14-year-old from Brampton, were arrested.
After searching the area, police said the remaining two suspects, a 15-year-old and a 17-year-old, both from Brampton, were taken into custody.
The suspects have been charged with:
- robbery with disguise
- disguise with intent
- administer noxious substance
- weapons dangerous
- assault with a weapon
- mischief over $5,000
- possession of property obtained by ctrime over $5,000
The 15-year-old from Toronto was also charged with possession of a prohibited weapon, and the 17-year-old from Brampton was also charged with flight from a peace officer.
Paramedics treated several people who were in the area at the time of the occurrence after being exposed to pepper spray allegedly used by the suspects.
Police said there is no evidence firearms were used in the robbery, and added that a backpack with numerous items of jewellery was recovered.
“The Barrie Police Service would like to thank our Barrie community, and all those that assisted throughout Friday afternoon,” said Barrie Police Chief Rich Johnston. “From the patrons of the mall who calmly evacuated, to the off-duty officers on scene, and the OPP who located and arrested the remaining suspects — we are committed to keeping our community safe, and holding accountable those who commit these brazen acts.”
All five suspects were held for a bail hearing, and the 17-year-old from Brampton was released with an upcoming court date.
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Five suspects have been arrested and a vehicle has been recovered after the robbery of a jewelry store within Georgian Mall Friday afternoon led to the full evacuation of the shopping centre.
The incident occurred just before 3 p.m. on the bottom floor adjacent to where Santa was meeting with kids. That area was eventually taped off when police arrived.
Video posted to social media showed at least four masked thieves wearing all black committing the smash-and-grab theft with what appeared to be hammers. Witnesses described that pepper spray had been used during the incident, but did not confirm the user.
At least six Barrie Police cruisers and a fire truck were seen heading north on Bayfield Street toward the area of the mall when the incident was unfolding. Barrie Police confirmed a large police presence, but couldn't provide an exact number of responding officers.
At approximately 5:13 p.m., police advised that the fourth and fifth suspects had been taken into custody, and that they weren't seeking additional suspects.
The service adds OPP assisted with the investigation and that more info will be provided when possible.
