Suspects targeted downtown Toronto jewelry store in December 2023 heist
Toronto police have released images of three additional suspects wanted in connection with an armed robbery at a downtown jewelry store that occurred last December. The heist, which took place on December 13, 2023, near Yonge and Dundas Square, saw a group of suspects enter the store while masked and carrying weapons.
Robbery Details
Investigators say the suspects, a group of eight men, arrived at the jewelry store in two stolen vehicles. Once inside, one of the suspects allegedly fired a handgun at a glass door, while others used hammers to smash display cases filled with jewelry. During the chaos, one of the suspects reportedly struck a victim over the head with a handgun, causing minor injuries.
The robbers took a quantity of jewelry before fleeing the scene in the stolen vehicles. Police were able to track and stop one of the vehicles shortly afterward, leading to the arrest of four suspects following a short foot pursuit.
Additional Evidence Found During Arrests
During the arrests, police said that further items of “evidentiary value” were discovered, which are believed to be connected to the robbery. As a result, several individuals were charged in relation to the incident.
Suspects Already Arrested and Charged
So far, five individuals have been arrested in connection to the robbery, including Toronto resident Ali Taha, 20, and four male youths. The youths involved, aged 16 and 17, cannot be publicly named due to protections under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
The charges include one count each of robbery with a firearm and discharging a firearm with intent. Two of the youths are also facing additional charges for failure to comply with court orders, while one suspect has been charged with possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.
Police Still Seeking Other Suspects
While police have made several arrests, three suspects are still outstanding. The images of these remaining suspects have been released in the hopes that the public can help identify them. As of now, these suspects have not been charged or arrested.
The Ongoing Investigation
The charges against the suspects have not yet been tested in court, and Toronto police continue to investigate the case. Police have warned that the robbery involved a high level of planning, and they are working to identify all individuals involved in the crime.
For anyone with information related to the incident or the whereabouts of the outstanding suspects, Toronto police encourage the public to come forward.
