Video of a smash-and-grab style robbery at a Hamilton Shoppers Drug Mart has been released and police say the incident is linked to at least 12 other robberies targeting high-end perfumes in the city.
Hamilton police said investigators began looking into multiple incidents involving the theft of “high-value” fragrance products at the pharmacy chain last month.
In the video, three masked suspects can be seen approaching a glass fragrance case and smashing it open before quickly shovelling perfume and cologne products into duffle bags and exiting the store.
‘Employees and customers fled the area in fear’
Three of the robberies connected to the investigation occurred over a roughly 12-hour period last week, starting with a break-in at 661 Upper James Street at 9 p.m. on May 21, followed by another robbery at 510 Concession Street hours later and ending with a Friday morning robbery at 1000 Golf Links Road.
“During that incident, suspects aggressively smashed glass display cabinets while employees and customers fled the area in fear,” police said.
Police were able to track down a grey Nissan Rogue that was seen leaving one of the robbery scenes. They seized two backpacks containing perfume and cologne products which were affixed with Shoppers Drug Mart stickers.
An image of the seized goods released by police showed that most of the stolen products were Hugo Boss and Christian Dior colognes and perfumes.
A hammer, crowbar, and one knife were also seized. Police believed these items were used during the robberies.
The total reported losses exceed $21,000, according to investigators.
Hamilton residents Damian Bent-Gale, 21, Deshawn Davidson, 27, Brandon Ferris, 35, and Nicole Martin, 40, were each charged with three counts of robbery. Bent-Gale was also charged with nine counts of theft under $5,000. Davidson is facing two counts of theft under $5,000 and failure to comply with probation.
