"This marks the first major crackdown on smash-and-grab robberies. We've disrupted an organized group responsible for targeting businesses across the [Greater Toronto Area], and these arrests send a clear message: this type of co-ordinated criminal activity will not be tolerated."
"Suspects wore "masks and balaclavas to conceal their identities and used hammers to smash display cases before quickly fleeing with stolen jewelry," the police news release said. There were no injuries during the robberies, but there was property damage, including when a vehicle was driven into a Buy & Sell store."
"Through the investigation, police linked one robbery in January to seven others in Burlington and another 25 across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), Wilkie told CBC News. He said Halton police worked with nine other police services to investigate."
"He added police believe a network of organizers is arranging vehicles, identifying targets and recruiting would-be robbers. Police say these groups recruit through WhatsApp, Snapchat, police say."
Halton Regional Police Service laid more than 50 charges after several smash-and-grab robberies between January 25 and March 17. Robberies occurred in Burlington, Hamilton, St. Catharines, Brantford, Guelph, Waterloo, and Barrie. Eight young people from Toronto, Mississauga, and Barrie were arrested, including two youths, and all accused are 22 or younger. Charges relate to a dozen robberies across the region. Police said suspects used masks and balaclavas, smashed display cases with hammers, and fled with stolen jewelry. Investigators linked one January robbery to multiple others across the Greater Toronto Area, with cooperation from nine other police services. Police reported no injuries but noted property damage, including a vehicle driven into a store, along with stolen vehicles and cloned licence plates. Police believe organizers arranged vehicles, identified targets, and recruited participants, including through WhatsApp and Snapchat.
#smash-and-grab-robberies #halton-regional-police #youth-arrests #organized-crime #greater-toronto-area
Read at www.cbc.ca
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