Four suspects arrested, one still wanted for smash and grab at Stratford Mall

Four people were arrested Wednesday for a jewelry store robbery at the Stratford Mall.

Stratford Police said there was also a fifth person involved who got away.

“At approx. 6 p.m., five suspects entered the Stratford Mall and attended the Paris Jewellers store where they conducted a smash and grab robbery,” Const. Darren Fischer said. “The suspects fled the scene in a vehicle heading eastbound out of the City of Stratford.”

One employee at the store had minor injuries.

Thanks to information from witnesses and staff, police were able to track the vehicle to Kitchener.

“The suspects were located by Waterloo Regional Police and the OPP shortly before 7 p.m. in and around the Sunrise Centre,” Fischer explained. “Four of the suspects were arrested. One remains outstanding and police are continuing to look for that individual.”

Police said no description of the fifth suspect was available.

“We’re continuing to look for witnesses and we want to gather as much information as possible,” Fischer said.

Prior robberies at Stratford Mall

Wednesday’s incident wasn’t the first for Paris Jewellers.

On Jan. 3, 2024, four people entered the store and smashed their display cases. Police said the suspects grabbed fistfuls of jewelry, estimated at more than $100,000.

Less than a week later two 21-year-old men were arrested in Niagara Falls. Officers there discovered a gun and $135,000 worth of jewelry in their vehicle. It was later linked to the Stratford robbery.

The store was targeted again on Nov. 26, 2024. Police said a man went into Paris Jewellers, stole several items and then ran off.

Niagara Regional Police believed the suspect in that incident may have also been involved in thefts at the Pen Centre in St. Catharines and the Seaway Mall in Welland.