2 suspects sought in Scarborough convenience store robbery

Toronto police are searching for two men who allegedly robbed a Scarborough convenience store by throwing gasoline at a clerk last fall.

“This is the first time in my career that I recall individuals carrying a cup of gas into a variety store,” Staff-Insp. Mike Earl said at a news conference Thursday.

“I believe that this is more than a robbery – it’s a personal attack.”

Earl said it was an attack on either the owner or the store. He did not say how much money was taken.

Officers released photos from surveillance video that was taken at Snowy Convenience on Painted Post Drive, near Lawrence Avenue and Markham Road, on Oct. 8, 2012.

One of them, armed with what appears to be a drywall hammer, threw gasoline that was hidden in a Wendy’s cup at the employee and demanded cash. The second man, armed with a knife, walked behind the counter and removed a quantity of cigarettes and put them into a duffel bag. The two then fled on foot, police said.

“They’re a Mutt-and-Jeff team,” Earl said, with one man significantly smaller than the other.

“We believe that these individuals are known to the store, know the area and are probably from the area.”

The larger man is white, six feet to six-feet-three-inches tall, with a stocky build and dark brown hair. He was wearing a black ski mask, dark sunglasses, a black hooded sweater with a grey shirt underneath, dark pants and black gloves.

The smaller man is white, five-feet-seven-inches to five-feet –eight-inches tall. He was wearing a black toque, dark sunglasses, black jacket, denim pants and black gloves, and carrying a black gym bag.

Officers also released surveillance video. Watch it below or click here to view.