5 charged for armed robberies in GTA

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Five males — including three who were out on probation at the time of arrest — have been charged with armed robberies in the GTA.

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Peel Regional Police say the robbery occurred at a jewelry store inside a shopping mall near Ellesemere and Brimley Rds. on Monday.

Cops said four people wore disguises to conceal their identities and, armed with hammers, allegedly smashed several display cases and removed a “large quantity of jewelry and other property from secured areas” before fleeing the area in a stolen vehicle.

The next day, police said the same bandits went to an electronics store near Kennedy Rd. And Matheson Blvd. in Mississauga.

Police said the group, this time armed with a firearm, allegedly demanded property and ransacked the store, stealing multiple electronics before fleeing in the same stolen vehicle.

Investigators said responding officers and coordinated efforts between Peel and Toronto police’s respective robbery units paved the way in the arrests of five suspects following a foot pursuit.

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Property related to the alleged robberies was located and seized.

Search warrants were executed at addresses in Toronto and Mississauga.

Police claim the vehicle used in the alleged robberies was stolen during a June 7 carjacking in Mississauga where the victim was forcefully pushed to the ground as she approached her vehicle. The carjackers also stole her purse before driving away in the car, police said, adding that investigation remains ongoing.

Jailen Whyte, 20, of Toronto, is charged with two counts each of robbery, disguise with intent and fail to comply with release order, as well as use imitation firearm, and possession of stolen property.

At the time of his arrest, Whyte was bound by two previous court orders stemming from similar charges.

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Two 15-year-old youths from Mississauga and Brampton were charged with two counts each of robbery and disguise with intent, as well as use imitation firearm and possession of stolen property.

Another two 15-year-old youths from London and Toronto were charged with two counts each of robbery, disguise with intent and fail to comply with release order, as well as use imitation firearm and possession of stolen property.

At the time of the arrest, the two youths were bound by a previous court order stemming from similar charges.

The youths can’t be named per the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

This investigation remains ongoing, and police anticipate more charges could be laid.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 905-453-2121 ext. 3410, Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or at peelcrimestoppers.ca.

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