Waterloo regional police respond to growing number of jewellery store robberies

Police are cracking down on a specific type of crime, as shopping centres and malls around Waterloo Region are being targeted by groups of masked and armed youths.

According to statistics from Waterloo Regional Police Service, cases of jewellery store robberies increased by 80 per cent in 2024.

The total number of robberies, not just jewellery store thefts, also increased by 5 per cent to 286 cases in 2024, more than half of which were muggings.

Regional police have released surveillance footage of a theft that took place at Fairview Park Mall on May 18, 2024, to raise awareness about these robberies.

In the video, a group of masked individuals can be seen armed with a handgun and hammers, scaring customers out of the store before smashing glass display cases and stealing merchandise.

In a subsequent video, the group of suspects can be seen fleeing through the mall, chased by security, before piling into a grey sedan and taking off.

The suspects in this case have not been identified.

Chief of Police Mark Crowell explained that these robberies are oftentimes being carried out by young people who are looking to join gangs and organized crime outfits.

“Young people are being brought into these situations,” said Crowell. “The perception is they won’t be facing harsh penalties in the criminal justice system. Oftentimes, young people are looking for belonging, and they’re also lucrative financial opportunities.”

On Feb. 5, three teenagers and a 27-year-old were arrested in connection to two attempted robberies at Conestoga Mall.

“We are greatly concerned by the level of danger, violence, and disruption this is causing to our commercial plazas, especially malls,” added Crowell.

Cases of vehicle theft are also on the rise around the region. In 2024, police investigated nearly 1,200 cases of stolen vehicles, up from just under 980 in 2023.

Going forward, the Waterloo Regional Police Service will look to implement advancing technology as well as the to-be-built Public Safety Communications Centre to fight these cases of robberies and thefts.