Stratford – In a daring and swift operation, four suspects executed a brazen smash-and-grab robbery at Paris Jewellers in the Stratford Mall, making off with an estimated $100,000 worth of jewelry. The incident unfolded shortly after 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, leaving two staff members at the jewelry store visibly shaken.
The perpetrators, dressed entirely in black clothing, stormed into the store and proceeded to shatter glass display cases, swiftly seizing an undisclosed quantity of jewelry, according to local law enforcement. The entire operation took less than a minute, with the assailants fleeing the mall immediately afterward.
Police reports indicate that the suspects were last spotted heading east on Ontario Street, making their escape in a black four-door sedan, possibly a Chrysler 300. Const. Darren Fischer of the Stratford Police emphasized the calculated nature of the crime, stating, “They came here with intent to do what they did, and they obviously had the plans to follow through with that robbery.”
The aftermath of the robbery prompted numerous 911 calls from witnesses. One bystander captured a nine-second video of the incident from behind a bench situated between the store and the LCBO. In the footage shared by the police, one suspect is seen smashing glass while the others hurriedly collect jewelry into bags. All four individuals were clad in masks and hoods, with only their eyes visible. Three of them wore gloves, while a fourth suspect appeared to handle items off a wall with bare hands.
Descriptions of the suspects are limited due to their attire and face coverings, with police identifying them as males of average height and slim builds. The community is urged to come forward with any information that may aid in the swift apprehension of the culprits, emphasizing the need for collective vigilance in the face of such audacious criminal activities.
