All five suspects are facing numerous charges after a violent jewellery store robbery at Georgian Mall in Barrie, Ont., on Friday.
With the efforts of Barrie police, Nottawasaga OPP officers, and off-duty officers, five teenage boys were arrested within two hours of robbing a jewelry store at the shopping centre at Bayfield Street and Livingstone Street East.
Police say five suspects smashed display cases at a store near the food court just before 2:30 p.m., used pepper spray, and fled with stolen merchandise, forcing an evacuation of the mall. Several mall patrons were treated by paramedics for pepper spray exposure.
A 14-year-old from Toronto was arrested at the scene. The four other suspects fled in a reportedly stolen vehicle, which was later found in a ditch in Essa Township. Police say they were able to track it down after it failed to stop for OPP.
Two teens, a 15-year-old from Toronto and a 14-year-old from Brampton, were located and arrested at around 3:30 p.m., a short distance away from where the vehicle was left.
Officers continued to search the area to find the other two suspects, discovering a 15-year-old and a 17-year-old, both from Brampton, and arrested them at around 4:30 p.m.
Police seized a backpack full of jewelry.
The suspects are facing numerous charges, including robbery with violence, disguise with intent, administering noxious substance, assault with a weapon, and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.
The 17-year-old has been released on bail and will appear in court at a later date.
