Toronto police are asking for the public’s assistance identifying two men who robbed a jewelry store last month while wearing burkas.
The two men robbed Mona-Clara Jewellers, in the York Mills-Leslie Street-area, on October 14 at gunpoint, Holdup squad Staff-Insp. Mike Earl told reporters Wednesday.
The pair got away with about $500,000 in jewelry during the five-minute holdup, he said. One suspect was armed with a handgun and forced a female employee to lock up the store. The robbery took place at about 11 a.m., at a “busy” mall plaza.
Police have little in the way of a description for the suspects. One is described as black and 5’11, the other only described as 6’3. Both had “shiny objects” on their sleeves.
“There’s not much to go with here,” Staff-Insp. Earl admitted.
Police have video of the pair walking to the store and believe there was a getaway vehicle at the back of the plaza.
“It’s the first jewelry store robbery I’ve seen where the individuals were wearing burkas,” Staff-Insp. Mike Earl said.
There are other unsolved jewelry store heists this year and the robbery may be related, he added.
Staff-Insp. Earl said a burka would not stand out in October, while a ski mask would likely draw attention.
“It’s another way of disguising yourself,” he said.
Police are asking anyone who purchased a large quantity of jewels in the last month to contact them.
“Hopefully an honest retailer will come forward,” Staff-Insp. said.
Two men disguised in burkas rob Toronto jewelry store at gunpoint, hauling in $500K in merchandise | National Post