Five people are facing charges in connection to two smash-and-grab jewelry store robberies in Ottawa on Tuesday, according to police. The Ottawa Police Service said at approximately 4:20 p.m. Tuesday, the suspects entered a jewelry store at Billings Bridge Shopping Centre on Riverside Drive, “smashed the display cases and stole the contents.” “They fled to an awaiting vehicle, which had been reported stolen,” police said in a media release. At 5:04 p.m., suspects entered a jewelry store at Place d’Orléans, “smashed display cases, stole contents and fled to a waiting vehicle,” police said. Place d’Orléans and Billings Bridge Shopping Centre are 19 km apart. The description of the vehicle and the suspects was broadcast to all frontline officers on patrol. Police said at approximately 6:10 p.m., a K9 officer spotted the suspect’s vehicle on St. Joseph Boulevard and attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but the vehicle fled. “A short pursuit occurred, and a tire deflation device successfully deflated the fleeing vehicle’s tires, lowering its speed tremendously,” police said. “Officers used cruisers to bring the vehicle to a complete stop in the 1800 block of St. Joseph Blvd. Several cruisers were in the area and used tactical maneuvers to stop the vehicle. A member of the public received damage to their vehicle.” No one was hurt during the traffic stop. Police say two men and three male youths are facing multiple charges, including two counts of robbery, two counts of theft, two counts of possession of stolen property, and one count each of dangerous driving, flight from police and possessing a stolen vehicle. The Ottawa Police Service’s Robbery Unit continues to investigate. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Robbery Unit at 613-236-1222, ext. 5116. There have been 12 smash-and-grab robberies at Ottawa jewelry stores so far this year.
