{"id":656988,"date":"2026-05-08T23:35:14","date_gmt":"2026-05-08T23:35:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/656988\/"},"modified":"2026-05-08T23:35:14","modified_gmt":"2026-05-08T23:35:14","slug":"video-jewelry-store-heists-caught-on-tape-in-greater-toronto-area-8-arrests-made","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/656988\/","title":{"rendered":"VIDEO: Jewelry store heists caught on tape in Greater Toronto Area; 8 arrests made"},"content":{"rendered":"

A van is seen crashing into a Greater Toronto Area store during a smash-and-grab jewelry robbery. (Photo: From Halton Regional Police video)<\/p>\n

In what police are calling a \u201cmajor crackdown on smash-and-grab robberies\u201d at jewelry stores across the Greater Toronto Area and beyond, six men and two youths face a total of more than 50 charges in connection with 12 heists.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The six men charged range in age from 18 to 22. Four of the eight accused are from Mississauga, three from Toronto and one from Barrie, Halton Regional Police said Friday in releasing details of their major investigation \u2014 dubbed Project Pinnacle \u2014 and a video (see below) that shows several of the robberies in progress.<\/p>\n

Police added more arrests and charges are anticipated as the investigation continues.<\/p>\n

Those responsible for the heists targeted jewelry shops in Burlington, Guelph, Brantford, Hamilton, Waterloo and Barrie between January and March, police said, adding in one case a stolen vehicle was purposely crashed into a Burlington storefront seconds prior to the business being robbed. The building sustained \u201csignificant structural damage,\u201d according to police.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Investigators said in a news release they believe the smash-and-grab heists were carried out by an organized group that used stolen vehicles with cloned licence plates to commit the robberies.<\/p>\n

Those responsible also wore masks and balaclavas to conceal their identities and used hammers to smash display cases inside stores before quickly fleeing with the stolen jewelry, police added.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Seconds to commit the crime.<\/p>\n

Months to investigate.<\/p>\n

Since January, investigators have been tracking a series of smash-and-grab jewelry store robberies across the GTA.<\/p>\n

Today, 8 people are under arrest and more than 40 charges have been laid.<\/p>\n

More on this successful\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/Tl5NnkOABR<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Halton Police (@HaltonPolice) May 8, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

No injuries were reported in any of the incidents, but police point out such heists do put people\u2019s safety at risk.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis organized group has been targeting communities across the GTA for weeks. Residents, shoppers and business owners deserve to feel safe in our malls and stores,\u201d Halton police Chief Stephen Tanner said. \u201cThey act in complete disregard for the rule of law \u2014 four of the accused were out on forms of release at the time of their arrest.\u201d<\/p>\n

Police said suspects were identified after \u201cweeks of investigation\u201d by officers with the force\u2019s criminal investigations bureau out of Burlington.<\/p>\n

Six of the robberies targeted jewelry stores in Burlington, according to investigators.<\/p>\n

The robberies took place on:<\/p>\n

Jan. 25, Michael Hill in Burlington.
\nJan. 29, Buy & Sell in Burlington.
\nFeb. 4, Barry\u2019s Jewellers in Burlington.
\nFeb. 17, Charm Diamonds in Guelph.
\nFeb. 23, Charm Diamonds in Brantford.
\nMarch 2, Charm Diamonds in Waterloo.
\nMarch 3, Barry\u2019s Jewellers in Burlington.
\nMarch 6, Karat Jewellers in St. Catharines and Michael Hill in Burlington.
\nMarch 16, Michael Hill in Burlington and HW Williams (Hamilton).
\nMarch 17, Michael Hill in Barrie.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis marks the first major crackdown on smash-and-grab robberies,\u201d Halton police Deputy Chief Roger Wilkie said. \u201cWe\u2019ve disrupted an organized group\u201d allegedly responsible for targeting businesses across the GTA.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Video surveillance cameras caught several of the robberies in progress. (Photo: From Halton Regional Police video)<\/p>\n

Halton police Supt. Dave Costantini added, \u201cWhen we consider the shootings and other tragic events that have occurred in surrounding jurisdictions as a result of violence in large shopping malls, we are extremely fortunate that these robberies did not result in serious injury or loss of life.\u00a0 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt is also deeply concerning and unacceptable that several\u201d of the accused are \u201cyoung and were already before the courts, on various forms of release, at the time of these offences,\u201d he added.\u00a0<\/p>\n

During the course of their probe, police also\u00a0executed six search warrants at homes in Toronto and Mississauga. As a result, some of the stolen jewelry has been recovered, investigators said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Facing various charges are: Krishawn Scott, 21, Romario Angelo Abraham, 19, Cassie Miller, 19, and Adam Buttigieg, 21, all of Mississauga; Joshua Akhigbe, 18, and two male youths, all of Toronto; and Coulton Peters-McComb, 22, of Barrie.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

(Photos: Halton Regional Police)<\/p>\n

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to call police at 905-825-4777, ext. 2316, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477.<\/p>\n


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