Halton police have arrested and charged three teenage boys, along with one 18-year-old male, following an attempted robbery at a jewelry store in Oakville last week.
In a release on Monday, police said four male suspects entered the Oakville Place Mall on Leighland Avenue, near Trafalgar Road, at around 6 p.m. on Friday.
The group was wearing dark-coloured clothing, masks, and gloves and police said mall security “intercepted” them, “believing a robbery was about to take place.”
Officers responded and located the four suspects on foot a short distance away. The group allegedly carried tools intended for breaking and entering, investigators said, including hammers, a machete, and disguises.
Phoenix Cottle, 18, of Toronto has been arrested and charged with robbery, disguise with intent, possession of break-in instruments, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, and obstructing a peace officer.
Two 15-year-old males and one 14-year-old male, all from Toronto, were arrested as well.
They are all facing charges of robbery, disguise with intent, possession of break-in instruments, and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.
The 14-year-old also faces a charge of carrying a concealed weapon and was released with a future court date in Milton.
Cottle and the two 15-year-old boys were held in custody pending their bail hearings.
None of the youths can be identified under the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
Police said the investigation is ongoing, but detectives do not believe the accused in this incident are involved in other recent smash and grab robberies at jewelry stores in Mapleview Mall.
