WARMINGTON: Employee assaulted in latest Hillcrest mall jewelry heist

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This was not just a smash-and-grab jewelry heist.

That would be terrifying enough. This was also a physical assault with a weapon to go along with the mental anguish of being a victim of such horrendous violence.

This is disturbing.

“Three suspects entered the jewelry store, sprayed the employees with an aerosol irritant and smashed open jewelry display cases,” Const. James Dickson of York Regional Police tell us in a news release.

This was planned out. Three masked villains and a getaway driver waiting outside.

“On Monday, June 9, 2025, at approximately 6:45 p.m., police responded to a commercial robbery in the area of Yonge Street and Carrville Road,” York Regional Police said. “Investigators with the York Regional Police Hold-Up Unit are seeking suspects and witnesses following a jewelry store robbery in the City of Richmond Hill.”

If the location seems familiar, you are right. This is where Hillcrest Mall sits and where there have been jewelry heists before.

Usually, they are smash-and grab-operations — masked thugs with hammers who come in and break display cases and run off undetected. But then some of the operators started to stand up for themselves and fought back. They are the last line of defence to their business and their expensive merchandise and security — and police often take time to respond.

Now, it seems, the criminal world has adjusted — making things far more dangerous than what it already was.

Retailers are on their own out there and the bad guys know it. While our political leaders and the justice system don’t take any of this seriously, the people who are victimized are these small businesspeople and the public who are being terrorized by the violent criminals.

Nothing short of 10 years in prison for armed robbery will suffice in making a preventative dent in encouraging such criminals to not take the chance. Right now, they laugh.

That said, perhaps you know who they are, or have information, and can help YRP who are working hard to catch these robbers.

“The three suspects who entered the store are described as Black males. They were seen wearing masks,” York police said. “There is no suspect description for the suspect waiting in the white sedan.”

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Police added “investigators are asking anyone who may have seen something suspicious in the area, anyone who may have dashcam or video surveillance footage at the time of the incident, or who may have information about the suspects, to please come forward” and contact “York Regional Police Hold-Up Unit at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 6630, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. Anonymous tips can also be sent online at 1800222tips.com.”

Yes, they will only get bail. And yes, they won’t likely do any real time for these alleged terrifying acts.

But police are doing their part and the public should chip in by doing its part as well. Just think of the poor jewelry store employees who have to work and live in that hell.