Five teens facing numerous charges after violent jewelry store robbery

Just as shoppers were trying to get their last-minute Christmas gifts, a jewelry store in a popular Barrie, Ont., mall was reportedly robbed.

All five suspects are facing numerous charges after a violent jewellery store robbery at Georgian Mall in Barrie, Ont., on Friday.

With the efforts of Barrie police, Nottawasaga OPP officers, and off-duty officers, five teenage boys were arrested within two hours of robbing a jewelry store at the shopping centre at Bayfield Street and Livingstone Street East.

Police say five suspects smashed display cases at a store near the food court just before 2:30 p.m., used pepper spray, and fled with stolen merchandise, forcing an evacuation of the mall. Several mall patrons were treated by paramedics for pepper spray exposure.

A 14-year-old from Toronto was arrested at the scene. The four other suspects fled in a reportedly stolen vehicle, which was later found in a ditch in Essa Township. Police say they were able to track it down after it failed to stop for OPP.

Two teens, a 15-year-old from Toronto and a 14-year-old from Brampton, were located and arrested at around 3:30 p.m., a short distance away from where the vehicle was left.

Officers continued to search the area to find the other two suspects, discovering a 15-year-old and a 17-year-old, both from Brampton, and arrested them at around 4:30 p.m.

Police seized a backpack full of jewelry.

The suspects are facing numerous charges, including robbery with violence, disguise with intent, administering noxious substance, assault with a weapon, and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.

The 17-year-old has been released on bail and will appear in court at a later date.