Four suspects were arrested on Tuesday after attempting a jewelry store robbery in Richmond Hill. The suspects were caught following a police pursuit, which included the use of a York Regional Police helicopter.
Around 3:30 p.m., officers responded to a robbery at a jewelry store located near Yonge Street and Levendale Road. The suspects, three males armed with hammers, were seen smashing glass cases and stealing jewelry. They fled in a silver SUV, driven by a fourth suspect. One store employee was injured during the robbery but sustained only minor injuries.
As the suspects drove off, the York Regional Police helicopter, Air2, tracked their movements as the vehicle made its way into Toronto. The suspects parked at an apartment complex near Highway 27 and Finch Avenue, before fleeing on foot into a wooded area. Police quickly apprehended all four suspects.
The vehicle used in the robbery was reported as stolen. The arrested suspects include Marlando Mitchell, 24, from Brampton; Che Brooks-Baptiste, 20, from Burlington; and two 16-year-olds, one from Toronto and the other from Mississauga.
Mitchell faces charges of robbery with an offensive weapon, disguise with intent, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 (two counts), and failure to comply with a release order. Brooks-Baptiste is facing similar charges, while the two youths are also charged with possession of stolen property, failure to stop after an accident, and violating release orders.
At the time of the incident, Mitchell and the two youths were each under multiple release orders, with one of the youths also on probation.
Chief Jim MacSween expressed concerns over the suspects’ repeated offenses, highlighting the need for a review of the bail system to address such offenders, who remain a significant threat to public safety.