Police looking for suspect after string of robberies in Waterloo region, Guelph

WRPS investigate string of armed robberies Police say convenience stores across the region and Guelph are being targeted. CTV’s Carmen Wong reports.

Waterloo regional police are seeking the public's help to identify a male suspect believed to be connected to a string of armed robberies that have occurred across Waterloo region and Guelph.

Police said nine robberies have occurred at convenience stores since Jan. 8 of this year.

According to police, the robberies have occurred at convenience stores within Kitchener, Wilmot Township, North Dumfries Township, Woolwich Township, and Guelph.

Police said officers believe the same individual is connected to all these robberies.

“In each of these robberies, a lone male suspect brandished weapons, including guns and knives,” police said in a news release. “The suspect then demanded cash and fled the business with money and/or stolen merchandise.”

Ankur Arora, the manager at Huron Village Grocery and Convenience in Kitchener, said they were one of the victims. Security cameras captured the suspect on tape.

“He was completely covered. His face was covered,” she said.

Arora said she wasn’t working at the time of the incident but said another employee and a trainee were there that night.

“He pulled out the knife to her, and when she refused to give it to him, he put it towards her asking her to give him money,” Arora said. “She opened up the till and gave him nearly a thousand dollars, and he just went outside.”

Police said in several instances, the person arrived in and left the area in a vehicle being driven by another individual.

There have been no physical injuries reported as a result of these incidents, police said.

Last week, police issued a notice involving two alleged convenience store robberies that took place on the same day in North Dumfries and Woolwich townships.