Robbers break into Guelph jewelry store with sledgehammer

Playing null of undefined

Thieves use sledgehammer to break into Ont. jewelry store

Sledgehammer used in Guelph jewelry store robbery

Guelph Police say suspects were caught on camera breaking into a jewelry store on Wednesday and stealing thousands of dollars worth of repair parts.

Employees at Royal Gold Jewellery & Precious Metals on Speedvale Avenue East said they were woken up in the middle of the night by an alert from the store’s security system.

Officers were dispatched to the scene around 1:39 a.m.; when they arrived, they discovered a broken back door.

Security video showed two males getting out of a Black Range Rover SUV.

One wore a balaclava and safety vest and carried a sledgehammer.

He tried to destroy the camera but only managed to move it into a better position to see the break-in.

The suspect then used the sledgehammer to smash the door.

Once inside, the two males grabbed “armfuls” of merchandise, which they carried out to the SUV in two separate trips.

Store employees told CTV News they took just under $8,000 in jewelry fittings, hardware, a box of samples and gold solder, which is used to join pieces of metal together.

“We just hope that they’re caught,” said one employee who asked not to be identified.

The first suspect was described as a man wearing all black clothing with white accents, gloves and a balaclava.

The second man wore an orange and yellow construction vest, a white T-shirt and carried the sledgehammer.

A third man, who was driving the SUV, was wearing a blue shirt, jeans, a black, red and white hat and a red bandana.

Previous incidents

Employees said Wednesday’s robbery wasn’t the first at Royal Gold Jewellery & Precious Metals. They worry it could happen again.

“It’s really unsettling in my heart,” said one.

“We don’t believe this would be the last time, so we just have to prepare, right? That’s the only thing we can do.”

There was another overnight break-in a couple years ago where the thieves stole watches and watch batteries.

Earlier this year, the store was targeted by smash and grab robbers. An employee said five people rushed the store’s door, broke the counters and stole various items.

That was followed by an attempted robbery. Employees said a masked person came up to the door but, as they were unable to open it, left empty-handed. Later that day they heard a nearby cannabis store was robbed at gunpoint by someone who matched their suspect’s description.

The store now has new security measures, including bars on the windows.

“We don’t want people to drive their cars through because we’ve heard of that happening.”

So far, employees say have been no arrests in those robberies.

“Every little detail helps, be it a marking on the individual or the vehicle, or even the clothing,” said Guelph Police Const. Mason Melitzer.

Robbery investigations, like the one at Royal Gold Jewellery & Precious Metals, are complex and can include separate incidents in other police jurisdictions.

“Through collaborations with different units and services they can generally find out who does these types of robberies,” Melitzer explained. “It does take time. These aren’t the kind of things that are solved overnight.”

Police ask anyone with information that could help with their investigation to call Const. Daniel Urbshas at 519-824-1212, ext. 7240, or email [e-mail].

- With reporting by Krista Simpson