Suspects don burkas in North York jewelry store robbery

Toronto police have released a security video of two men they say disguised themselves as women in burkas while robbing a jewelry store in North York.

The robbery occurred at Mona Clara Jewellers, located in the York Mills Road and Leslie Street area, on Oct. 14 at 11 a.m.

At a news conference on Wednesday morning, Staff Insp. Mike Earl said about a half-million dollars of jewelry was stolen.

Police allege the robbery began with the suspects taking control of the two people inside the store.

They said one of the suspects, who was armed with a black handgun, forced one of the people to open the display case and both suspects then removed a quantity of jewels and put them in bags.

The video shows one of the suspects clearing out the cabinets.

Police said the men were inside the store for about five minutes and then fled using the back door.

The first suspect is described as black and five-feet 11-inches tall. He was wearing what appeared to be a black burka with shiny details on both arms, black gloves, boots, and armed with a gun.

The second suspect is described as six-feet three-inches tall. He was wearing what appeared to be a black burka and black boots.

Earl said it is the first time he has seen people wearing burka disguises in robberies in Toronto.

“Completely covered in a head-wear, right from top to bottom. What the witnesses described as similar to burka outfit,” Earl said.

Anyone with information on the suspects’ identity is asked to contact police or Crime Stoppers.

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