A brazen thief is striking the same downtown Toronto store twice, leaving authorities searching for a woman already wanted for a previous robbery. The incidents, occurring months apart, reveal a disturbing pattern of escalating aggression and a disregard for the safety of store employees.
The first confrontation unfolded on a March evening near Dundas Street West and Bay Street. The suspect allegedly filled a basket with merchandise, then left it outside the store, a calculated move to set the stage for a violent retrieval. When an employee brought the basket inside, the woman reportedly attacked two staff members, demanding its return.
The situation quickly turned dangerous as the suspect deployed an unknown irritant, incapacitating the employees before fleeing with the stolen goods. This initial act of violence foreshadowed a chilling repeat performance just weeks ago, on a Friday evening.
This time, the suspect brandished what appeared to be pepper spray, intimidating staff and making off with another quantity of merchandise. She was last seen heading west on Dundas Street, disappearing into the city’s bustling core. Thankfully, no injuries were reported in either incident.
Police describe the suspect as a woman in her 20s, approximately 5-foot-6 with a slim to medium build. Distinctive tattoos offer potential leads: one on her finger and a star-shaped marking above her right hip. These details could be crucial in identifying and apprehending her.
Meanwhile, in a separate investigation, a 25-year-old man from Brampton now faces serious charges related to a series of extortion-linked shootings in Caledon. The incidents, occurring in late October, involved targeted attacks on both a residence and a business.
Surveillance footage captured a disturbing scene near Old School Road and Creditview Road, where two individuals arrived in a BMW SUV. One suspect allegedly poured an accelerant onto a driveway and ignited it, while both simultaneously fired multiple rounds at the nearby home. Again, no one was hurt.
The same duo is then believed to have targeted a business near Advance Boulevard and Dixie Road in Brampton, unleashing another volley of gunfire from within their vehicle. The brazen nature of these attacks suggests a deliberate attempt to intimidate and extort.
Iqbal Bhagria has been arrested and charged with multiple offenses, including reckless discharge of a firearm, arson, and possession of an unauthorized weapon. Investigators are actively seeking the second suspect involved in these alarming crimes, urging anyone with information to come forward.
