Youth exploitation and rising gold prices are among the factors driving a string of jewelry robberies in Montreal, police say. Two teenagers, aged 14 and 15, robbed a jewelry store at Place Versailles in Anjou Thursday. A week earlier, a jewelry store in Kirkland was robbed. Former Montreal police detective Pietro Poletti says these robberies are becoming more frequent. “We’re up to 46 in the Montreal region this year. It’s gone up threefold. What’s driving this type of crime is the price of gold,” he tells CTV News. Poletti says criminal groups, including street gangs, can exploit young people’s interest in quick cash. “It’s easy money, and there’s a demand for it,” he said. Statistics Canada data shows quebec’s violent youth crime rose by about 71 per cent between 2015 and 2025. Criminologist Stéphanie Chouinard-Thivierge says several factors are pushing teenagers into crime. “Such as impulsivity and difficulties with self-regulation. We have also the sensation seeking that is a big part of this period of development,” Chouinard-Thivierge said. In some cases, they may turn to crime because of their own exposure to family violence, instability, peer pressure, or peer rejection. “Their decision-making processes are still developing, and they may be more likely to prioritize immediate rewards over potential long-term consequences, especially when peers are involved,” she said. She adds that committing crimes as a teen doesn’t mean they’ll continue into adulthood, and addressing it must consider their specific situations.
