Five masked suspects decked out in black clothing reportedly broke into a Barrie mall in the early hours of the morning, according to police. Around 3 a.m. on Tuesday, officers responded to a call at the Bayfield Mall after suspects allegedly pried through the door of a store, shattering the glass. Officials say that the group made their way to a room inside of the store where they found a safe and a machine that tests for gold. “The safe was pushed out of the store and out to an awaiting car that is believed to have been located near the southwest doors of the mall,” stated Barrie Police corporate communications coordinator Peter Leon. Surveillance video from a nearby business showed a dark-coloured SUV, possibly a BMW with chrome rims, travelling quickly through the parking lot towards Coulter Street. Police say that the vehicle in question was last observed going southbound on Bayfield Street and may have continued onto the southbound lanes of Highway 400. This investigation remains ongoing, and police are asking anyone with information or dash camera video to contact the investigating officer at mmcgill@barriepolice.ca. Barrie police officials stated that the total value of the contents contained in the safe and the value of the gold testing machine will not be disclosed.
