Guelph jewelry store targeted by thieves – again

A jewelry store in Guelph is feeling the emotional toll of another smash and grab. CTV’s Hannah Schmidt has footage from the theft.

The owners of a Guelph jewelry store are once again cleaning up after a break-in.

The latest incident happened Wednesday, around 2:35 a.m., at Silveri Jewellers on Paisley Road.

Security video showed a Chevrolet Camaro with black bumpers pulling up to the store. A male then got out of the passenger side, used a hammer to break the glass on the front door and reach in to unlock it.

Inside the store, the suspect smashed two glass display cases and took what was inside.

“I could probably estimate there’s about 50 or more pieces of silver jewelry, then a handful of some other gold jewelry as well, and a handful of watches,” said Paige Johnson, a representative for Silveri Jewellers.

The first suspect, who was inside the store, is described as a Black male with a medium build. He was wearing a black and white hoodie with lettering on the front, blue track pants, black and white running shoes, a black baseball cap and black face mask. Guelph Police said he was also carrying a black duffel bag.

The security video did not show the person who was driving the Camaro.

“At this point, we don’t know if that was a male or a female,” said Scott Tracey with the Guelph Police Service. “We don’t have that person, unfortunately, on video at this time.”

In the meantime, Silveri Jewellers is considering adding more security to the premises.

“We really have done a lot up to this point,” Johnson said. “We’re going to have to start thinking about what we can do more of and, essentially, maybe having less jewelry on display.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Det. Sgt. Ian Smith, with the Break Enter Auto Theft Unit, at 519-824-1212, ext. 7125, or [e-mail]. Tips can also be shared anonymously with Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or www.csgw.tips.

2022 robbery

This was the second break-in at Silveri Jewellers.

Early on the morning of Dec. 23, 2022, a pickup truck reversed through the front of the store. Three males then got out the Dodge Ram and grabbed thousands of dollars worth of jewelry.

Owner Todd Koebel and his wife watched it all unfold on security video and contacted police.

Officers arrived minutes later but, by then, the thieves were already long gone.

Troubling trend

Reports of smash and grab robberies have increased in communities across southern Ontario.

“We have obviously seen the number of robberies where jewelry stores are the target,” Tracey said. “This one’s a little different in that the store was not occupied at the time. But, certainly, it’s still a concern that this is happening and these businesses continue to be targeted.”

For Silveri Jewellers, it’s not just about the missing merchandise but the emotional toll of being hit again.

“Not only has it happened before, but it’s happening all over,” said Johnson. “Not just Guelph, but Ontario. The sad, unfortunate reality is that we knew it might come again.”

Johnson hopes something is done to address the problem.

“As a province or country, to stop this from happening and stop families from being nervous to go into their shop that they’ve run for 20-plus years.”