Four people have been charged and an arrest warrant has been issued for a fifth suspect following a string of spa robberies in Markham and Toronto.
On Nov. 23 at about 3:20 a.m., a spa in the area of Dufferin Street and Wilson Avenue in Toronto was robbed at gunpoint by three people.
An hour later, a robbery occurred at a spa in the area of Birchmount Road and 14th Avenue in Markham, where three suspects forced their way in while armed with a gun. They stole one victim’s vehicle and fled with cash.
In both robberies, the suspects arrived in a stolen white Acura. It was located Nov. 28, and three suspects were arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle.
A video of the incident in Markham can be seen here.
On Dec. 6 at about 1 a.m., an armed robbery occurred at a spa in the area of Victoria Park and Steeles Avenue in Toronto.
On Dec. 8, two more robberies were reported, one at about 3:20 a.m. in the area of Carlingview and Renforth drives and the other at 3:45 a.m. in the area of Finch Avenue and Keele Street. In both incidents, the suspects arrived in a stolen Toyota Highlander.
On Dec. 10, search warrants were executed at residences in Toronto. One suspect was arrested.
A warrant has been issued for another suspect, and police are looking to identify two others.
Police have released images of the adult suspects because they believe there are more victims.
Ayden Murray, 19, of Toronto, has been charged with robbery with a firearm (five counts), disguise with intent (five counts) and forcible confinement (two counts).
Daiquon Estrada-Kelly, 19, of Toronto, has been charged with possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, possession of break-in instruments, breach of probation and possession of a firearm contrary to a prohibition order.
A 16-year-old male, of Toronto, has been charged with robbery with a firearm (five counts), disguise with intent (five counts), forcible confinement (two counts), possession of a firearm contrary to a prohibition order and breach of probation (two counts).
A 16-year-old male, of Toronto, has been charged with possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, breach of probation and possession of a firearm contrary to a prohibition order.
A 17-year-old male, of Toronto, has been charged with possession of property obtained by crime.
Three of the people charged were on release orders and weapon prohibitions at the time of their arrests.
Officers seized a replica firearm and tools used to commit the robberies, and recovered the two remaining stolen vehicles.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the York Regional Police Hold-Up Unit at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 6630. Information can be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or 1800222tips.com.
