‘Just a bit of chaos’: WRPS investigating jewelry store robbery at Kitchener strip mall

An afternoon robbery at a Kitchener strip mall jewelry store has left shoppers shaken. CTV's Colton Wiens has the story.

The Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) is investigating a robbery at a jewelry store in Kitchener.

Officers were called to Highland Hills Mall, located in the area of Highland Road West and Fischer-Hallman Road, at approximately 3 p.m. Saturday following reports of a robbery.

Police confirmed the incident occurred at MT Jewellers & Goldsmiths.

According to police, three unknown male suspects entered the store, smashed display cases and stole an undisclosed amount of merchandise before fleeing the scene.

Investigators believe the suspects left the parking lot in a waiting getaway car.

Police say a customer in the store sustained minor physical injuries as a result of the incident.

People who were inside the mall at the time of the incident described it as chaotic.

“[I] just sat down to get my nails done and we heard the glass smashing,” witness Charlotte Cooper told CTV News. “[I] got up and came out, and they were already running down the hallway back out of the mall. There was an elderly gentleman [who] got some glass on his head, [I] helped escort him out. Just a bit of chaos.”

The business is located inside of a grocery store. Customers who were buying groceries at the time told CTV News they were still able to purchase food following the incident, while police officers and security could be seen inside.

“It does worry me to see such a kind of police presence and the safety of our neighbourhood,” said shopper Rajesh Dhar. “We definitely do not want this kind of incident happening more.”

The business was previously targeted in September 2024, when three teenagers were charged with armed robbery. In that incident, witnesses detained the suspects until officers arrived.

“I would not want to stop coming. But if it’s not safe, then it might change my decision,” Dhar said.

“You keep hearing about this happening, right? So, it’s just when you’re right next to it, [I] was a little bit shaken up,” Cooper said.

Officers are asking anyone with information or video footage related to the latest incident to contact Waterloo Regional Police at 519-570-9777, ext. 8255.

The investigation remains ongoing.

With reporting by Colton Wiens