One suspect arrested in brazen jewelry store robbery at Markham mall
Posted December 30, 2018 7:45 pm.
Last Updated December 30, 2018 11:02 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
York Regional Police say one person is under arrest following a brazen robbery that took place at Markville Mall in Markham.
Police say they received a number of calls just before 6:30 p.m. on Sunday night, prior to the mall closing for the evening.
Eyewitness video seen by CityNews shows at least four individuals dressed in black and wearing orange and yellow reflective construction vests smashing the display cases in Lukfook Jewelry.
Video that has been circulating widely on social media then shows police taking one person into custody outside the mall.
CityNews spoke with a man who helped police capture that suspect. The man, who didn’t want to be identified, says he was shopping at the mall with his daughter when the robbery occurred. He says he heard loud banging noises, which sounded like gunshots, coming from inside a nearby jewelry store. It turned out to be sound of sledgehammers hitting the display cases.
Police have not been able to confirm that shots were fired during the robbery.
“The last person running out I was able to run after him, tackle him and to a certain point, was able to slow him down enough for the officer to make an arrest,” said the eyewitness, who noted that his background in martial arts enabled him to remain calm during the entire incident.
“I tried to get (the suspect) into a choke hold. Two of his friends came over, one sucker punched me and the other kicked me in the ribs. I slowed him down enough, though.”
Police could not confirm how many other suspects remain outstanding. The eyewitness tells CityNews he saw between five and six people.
Police told CityNews the mall was not put into lockdown however, some stores may have taken it upon themselves to close down during the incident.
There are no reports of any significant injuries at this time.
