Suspect arrested for four retail robberies in the GTA
Posted June 19, 2017 4:14 pm.
Last Updated June 19, 2017 4:21 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Police have arrested a suspect in connection with four retail robberies that occurred in the span of just over a month.
The robberies involved three west-end stores and one Peel region location.
The first incident occurred on May 14 at a smoke shop in the Bloor Street West and Prince Edward Drive area in Etobicoke.
Two men reportedly entered the shop with their faces concealed by masks. One of the men allegedly pointed a knife at the victims and forced them away from the store counter.
The second man was then given the knife and kept watch over the victims as the first man stole cash and property.
The second robbery occurred ten days later on May 24 in the Dundas Street East and Dixie Road area in Mississauga.
Police say the man entered a Love Shop wearing an alien-style mask, displaying a butcher knife. He allegedly confronted a victim, demanded cash and fled after stealing cash and other property.
Two weeks later on June 7, police say the same man was involved in a robbery in the Martin Grove Road and Burnhamthorpe Road area.
He allegedly entered a kitchen store and approached a female customer, once again displaying a butcher knife.
He obtained money from the victim and then reportedly held her wrist and pointed the knife towards the store owner, demanding money.
A second man was standing watch by the doorway and prevented a customer from entering the store during the robbery.
A little over a week later police say a fourth robbery was reported in the Bloor Street West and Mill Road area on June 16.
A man entered a convenience store armed with a knife and the lower half of his face covered with a t-shirt.
He allegedly demanded money and then went behind the store counter, loaded a plastic bag he brought with him with an unknown quantity of cigarettes and fled the store.
Shortly after this robbery police from 22 Division located the man and arrested him. An investigation revealed the other incidents and the man was charged with the various previous robberies.
20-year-old Hatim Abdullahi from Mississauga has been charged with four counts each of robbery with an offensive weapon, disguise with intent, possession of a weapon and possession of property obtained by crime. He appeared in court on Saturday.
The second man allegedly involved has not been identified. He is described as black,18-20 years old and around five-foot-seven to five-foot-ten.
Police are asking anyone with information to contact them.
