Five people were arrested after an armed robbery at Bellagio Jewellers II inside oshawa centre on Sunday around 3: 45 p. m. ET when four males entered the store, sprayed bear spray and smashed display cases before trying to flee. Bystanders and mall security intervened to restrain suspects while Durham Regional Police Service responded and later arrested the group after a short vehicle pursuit and a K-9-assisted foot search. Police say several people suffered minor injuries from the bear spray and were treated at the mall.
Oshawa Centre scene: bystanders step in, bear spray used
Video footage circulating shows multiple bystanders stepping in to help mall security apprehend the suspects, with at least one person placing a suspect in a headlock. Durham Regional Police Service emphasizes it does not encourage members of the public to put themselves in potentially dangerous situations or in harm’s way. Police advise witnesses to call 911 and to gather suspect descriptions and licence-plate details where safe to do so.
Arrests, charges and police reaction
Durham Regional Police Service said officers responded to Bellagio Jewellers II at oshawa centre after a robbery call. Two people were arrested inside the mall; the other two initially fled to a vehicle with a waiting driver. That vehicle was later involved in a small crash at Stevenson Road North and King Street West, after which those in the car attempted to flee on foot and were arrested with the assistance of a K-9 unit.
Five people are facing multiple charges including robbery, possession of a prohibited weapon and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence. The individuals charged include an 18-year-old man from Mississauga facing four different charges; a 22-year-old man from Barrie facing six different charges, including four counts of drug possession; a 40-year-old with no fixed address facing five different charges, including two counts of failure to comply with probation; a 15-year-old boy from Mississauga facing five different charges, including one count of administering a noxious substance; and a 17-year-old boy from Brampton facing four different charges.
Durham Regional Police Service said, “Durham Regional Police Service would never advise a member of the public to put themselves in potentially dangerous situations or harms way. ” Police noted Canada’s criminal code allows “citizen arrests” if certain conditions are met, including when a person appears to be committing an indictable or criminal offence and is escaping and freshly pursued by persons who have lawful authority to arrest.
What’s next
Investigators will proceed with laid charges and further inquiries while anyone with relevant information or footage is asked to contact Durham Regional Police Service. Court appearances and formal charge details are expected to follow as the files are processed and police complete their investigation.
