Arrests made in smash-and-grab robberies at Guelph, Ont. jewelry stores

Playing null of undefined

Thieves use sledgehammer to break into Ont. jewelry store

Sledgehammer used in Guelph jewelry store robbery

Guelph jewelry store hit in smash and grab for a second time

Four Toronto residents are facing charges for a series of break-ins, including two jewelry stores, in Guelph, Ont.

The first incident happened early on the morning of May 28. The Guelph Police Service said the glass doors of two businesses were smashed by two men, who drove to the south-end plaza in a stolen Chevrolet Camero. Once inside, the suspects stole unspecified merchandise and electronic devices.

Less than two hours later, they allegedly did the same thing at Silveri Jewellers on Paisley Road.

Security video showed a man getting out of the passenger side of a Camaro around 2:30 a.m., then using a hammer on the store’s glass door. Once inside, he smashed two glass display cases.

“I could probably estimate there’s about 50 or more pieces of silver jewelry, then a handful of some other gold jewelry as well, and a handful of watches,” Paige Johnson, a representative for Silveri Jewellers, told CTV News on May 28.

The store estimated their loss at $60,000.

The police investigation led officers to a Toronto residence.

“Officers attended an apartment building but were told by the property manager the building’s surveillance cameras were not working so he could not assist,” Guelph Police said in a media release on Wednesday. “It is alleged the property manager and his daughter helped one of the suspects escape the building with the stolen jewelry.”

Another jewelry store was hit on Speedvale Avenue East on Aug. 13.

Security video from Royal Gold Jewellery & Precious Metals on Speedvale Avenue East showed two males getting out a Black Range Rover SUV just after 12:30 a.m. Another stayed inside the vehicle.

One suspect was wearing a balaclava and safety vest and carried a sledgehammer. The man could be seen in the video trying to destroy the security camera. Instead, he moved it into a better position to capture the break-in.

The sledgehammer was then used to smash the back door of the store.

Police said the two males grabbed “armfuls” of merchandise, which they hauled out to the SUV over two trips.

Employees at Royal Gold Jewellery & Precious Metals told CTV News the thieves took approximately $7,700 in jewelry fittings, hardware, a box of samples and gold solder.

On Tuesday, police said officers carried out three search warrants in Toronto. They arrested three people and recovered an unspecified amount of jewelry.

A 34-year-old man has been charged with three counts of break and enter, possession of stolen property over $5,000, trafficking stolen property, disguise with intent, occupying a stolen vehicle, and two counts of failing to comply with a release order.

A 31-year-old man was also charged with four counts of break and enter, possession of stolen property over $5,000, two counts of disguise with intent, occupying a stolen vehicle, possession of stolen property under $5,000 and breaching a probation order.

A 70-year-old man, meanwhile, was charged with obstructing police.

A fourth person, only identified as a 24-year-old woman, is wanted by police for obstruction and trafficking stolen property.