New video appears to show a shopper attempting to subdue a suspect in the aftermath of a smash-and-grab robbery at a mall jewelry store in Oshawa over the weekend.
In the footage posted on social media, a man is seen putting the alleged suspect in a chokehold.
Another video shows a second suspect being held by shoppers as security arrives to handcuff him.
The robbery happened at around 3:45 p.m. on Sunday inside Oshawa Centre.
Durham Regional Police said four suspects armed with “hard-edged tools” entered a jewelry store and smashed display cases.
During the robbery, one of them allegedly deployed bear spray, police said.
“Now, those four suspects attempted to flee the mall, however, two of them were apprehended by mall security officials as well as some civilians,” Durham police Const. Nicholas Gluckstein told CTV News Toronto on Monday.
The remaining suspects fled in a waiting vehicle operated by a fifth suspect.
The suspects were involved in a minor collision nearby, police said, and tried to flee on foot, but all were eventually arrested.
Video obtained by CTV News shows the suspects being chased by police before getting arrested.
One jewelry store employee was treated at the scene for exposure to the bear spray, police said, adding that fire crews assisted in ventilation.
Police advise against intervening
Gluckstein called what happened in the mall a “dynamic situation” as it was packed at the time.
“What occurred is people that were shopping saw this happen and took it upon themselves to intervene, something that we obviously do not advise. Safety and keeping yourself out of harm are paramount to us,” Gluckstein said, noting that the public is entitled under the Criminal Code to make a citizen’s arrest.
He added that it was fortunate that no one was injured during the arrests.
“In this situation, we’re very fortunate that these civilians stepped in and assisted. We’re more fortunate that nobody was harmed because ultimately we don’t know what suspects have in their possessions, what weapons they may have with them.”
Suspects identified, charges laid
In a news release on Monday afternoon, Durham police identified three of the suspects: 18-year-old Romario Abraham of Mississauga, 22-year-old Coulton Peters-McComb from Barrie and 40-year-old Ryan MacPhail of no fixed address.
All three are each facing charges of robbery, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence.
Romario is also charged with leaving the scene of an accident, while Peters-McComb is facing additional charges of possession of a prohibited weapon, disguise with intent and four counts of possession of a Schedule I substance.
MacPhail, who police say is on weapons prohibition conditions at the time of his arrest, is also charged with disguise with intent and two counts of failure to comply with probation.
The two remaining suspects are a 15-year-old Mississauga boy and a 17-year-old Brampton boy who cannot be identified under the terms of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
They have been charged with robbery, disguise with intent, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence.
Police have laid the charge of administering a noxious substance against the 15-year-old.
