A 20-year-man and three male teenagers have been arrested in connection with retail robberies in Toronto and Vaughan.
According to Toronto Police Services, the four suspects were arrested after a foot chase when officers responded to a report of a robbery of cellphones at a store on Monday, Jan. 6 at about 4:40 p.m. in the Keele Street and Wilson Avenue area.
Three suspects, all while wearing masks, entered the store after smashing the glass door, police said in a news release. After demanding the safe be opened, they took a quantity of cellphones before fleeing in the stolen vehicle driven by a fourth suspect.
Responding officers were able to locate the vehicle, which soon collided with another vehicle in the Finch Avenue West and Chesswood Drive area. An occupant from the other vehicle sustained minor injuries, police added.
All four suspects were taken into custody after a short foot pursuit.
The arrests followed a similar robbery Sunday, Jan. 5 at about 1:40 p.m. in the Weston Road and Rutherford Road area. in Vaughan.
According to York Regional Police, four masked hammer-wielding suspects arrived at the store in a stolen vehicle, smashed the glass door to gain entry, demanded the safe be unlocked, and fled with a number of cellphones.
Toronto Police and York Regional Police investigators commenced an investigation and determined the suspects were involvement in both robberies, police said.
Nathan Palmer, 20, of Toronto, was charged with: robbery with an offensive weapon; disguise with intent; flight while pursued by peace officer; dangerous operation of conveyance; two counts of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000; and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence.
A male youth, 15, of Toronto, was charged with: robbery with an offensive weapon; disguise with intent; two counts of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000; and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence.
A male youth, 14, of Toronto, was charged with: two counts of robbery with an offensive weapon; two counts of disguise with intent; three counts of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000; and two counts of conspiracy to commit an indictable offence.
A male youth, 14, of Toronto, was charged with: two counts of robbery with an offensive weapon; two counts of disguise with intent; three counts of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000; and two counts of conspiracy to commit an indictable offence.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-7350, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at www.222tips.com.
