In another brazen robbery in a Waterloo region mall happened late Wednesday afternoon when jewelry thieves struck a Raffi store and police believe it's connected with a similar smash-and-grab heist at Cambridge Centre on Monday.
On Dec. 18, at around 4:20 p.m., Waterloo regional police responded to multiple reports of a robbery at Conestoga Mall in Waterloo.
According to police, five unknown males entered a jewelry store with hammers and what is believed to be bear mace. The males began to smash display cases and steal property prior to police arrival.
"Members of the North Neighborhood Patrol responded quickly and located the vehicle the suspects used," said WRPS information officer Chris Iden.
When police located the vehicle, it was unoccupied, but after a continued search, one of the suspects was located and arrested and subsequently charged.
"It is believed that the suspects are connected to a Cambridge robbery which took place on December 16, 2024," Iden confirmed to CambridgeToday.
Video posted to social media and shared widely shows five individuals smashing the glass display cases of Raffi Jewellers with hammers while one of them held what police think is bear mace.
Witnesses describe what they saw at the mall with some even being sprayed by the mace.
"I’ve never experienced pepper spray before, but my throat started burning. I was in front of Pandora and I didn’t put two and two together until the security guard was walking back and he’d been clearly got some in his eyes," said an individual.
"So scary for everyone there. Not to mention that Santa is right there and the kids are all around, waiting to see him. So traumatic," wrote another.
This robbery comes only days after the Charm Diamond Centre at the Cambridge Centre mall was also the victim of a similar smash-and-grab. Three masked individuals armed with hammers also broke glass display cases and made off with stolen jewelry before police could arrive. No arrests were made at the time.
The investigation remains ongoing and police are asking anyone with information to contact police or Waterloo Crime Stoppers for anonymous tips.
More to come.
