Serial retail robbers charged in string of crimes across Toronto
Posted August 14, 2023 11:11 am.
Last Updated August 14, 2023 11:20 am.
Toronto police have made multiple arrests concerning a string of retail robberies across the city, with the alleged assailants mainly targeting convenience stores.
Investigators were first made aware of the robberies in July. Police said between July 16 and July 30, officers responded to six robbery and holdup calls in the St. Clair West Village, Bermondsey, Sherwood Park, Brookhaven-Amesbury and Runnymede neighbourhoods.
At the time, Toronto police had identified one suspect as 35-year-old Fabio Amaral of Toronto. In the aforementioned robberies, police said a man entered seven convenience stores wearing a mask to disguise his identity. In three of the incidents, the man was accompanied by another suspect.
It’s alleged that the male suspect informed employees that he was armed with a knife in several incidents. He made a demand and took cash, cigarettes and lottery tickets before fleeing the area.
No physical injuries were reported.
Through the investigation, police identified four suspects. On July 30, Joshua Reid, 34, of no fixed address, was arrested and charged with robbery, disguise with intent and failure to comply with probation. He was scheduled to appear in court on July 31.
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On Aug. 1, police said a man already in custody for an unrelated matter was identified as 42-year-old Robert Penney of Toronto. Investigators determined Penney was one of the suspects involved in the robberies.
He was charged with robbery, disguise with intent and two counts of failure to comply with probation. He was scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 1.
On Aug.10, investigators arrested three other suspects. They were identified as 33-year-old Shayna Rosenzweig of no fixed address, 51-year-old Kelly Ramsay and Amaral — both of Toronto.
Rosenzweig’s charges include four counts of robbery, two counts of disguise with intent, four counts of failure to comply with the release order and the possession of property obtained by crime over. She was expected to appear in court on Aug. 11.
Ramsay was charged with possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 and possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000. She is scheduled to appear in court on Sep. 22.
Amaral faces a significant amount of robbery-related charges. They include 11 counts of robbery, two counts of robbery with an offensive weapon, 13 counts of disguise with intent, the possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 and 39 counts of failure to comply with probation.
Amaral was scheduled to appear in court on Aug.11.
