One young man and three teenage boys charged as $100,000 in jewelry was recovered after a failed robbery in Newmarket on Wednesday.
York Regional Police say they received reports just before 5:30 p.m. that five masked bandits entered a jewelry store at Yonge St. and Davis Dr. armed with hammers, smashed display cases and filled duffel bags with jewelry.
Cops say as the crooks fled, they were confronted by mall security and an aerosol irritant was discharged toward security guards. The masked bandits then drove off in a white Mercedes SUV.
Police say officers quickly located the getaway vehicle heading south on Hwy. 404 and the vehicle was stopped on Steeles Ave., where the occupants attempted to flee on foot.
With assistance from the Canine Unit and Air Support Unit, four suspects were arrested. One suspect remains outstanding.
Further investigation revealed the vehicle used in the robbery had allegedly been stolen earlier in the morning during a home invasion in Vaughan.
At this time, it has not been determined whether the accused jewelry store bandits were also involved in the vehicle theft.
Kareem Haniff, 18, of Toronto, a 16-year-old Toronto boy and two Brampton boys, 15 and 16, have all been charged with robbery with an offensive weapon, disguise with intent, two counts of assault with a weapon and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.
The three accused boys can’t be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
Investigators are still looking for one outstanding suspect, described as a male, 16 to 20, with a thin build who was wearing a black hoodie, black pants, black shoes and a black face mask.
At the time of this offence, Haniff was bound by an undertaking and one of the 16-year-old youths was on a release order for unrelated offences.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to call the Hold-Up Unit at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 6630, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
