Crime of the Week - Brampton

Release #: 2008 - 08b 

GROCERY STORE EMPLOYEES ROBBED AT GUNPOINT

Just as a Brampton grocery outlet was set to open for morning business, four suspects robbed the two employees, and your call to Crime Stoppers can help the police nab the thieves.

On Saturday October 27th, 2007 at 6:15 in the morning, an employee of the National Grocers Cash and Carry Store on Lowry Drive was preparing to open for business. He answered a knock on the front door and was immediately confronted by four masked men, one carrying a handgun. The victim was struck in the head by one of the suspects, and forced into the cash office where he was instructed to open the safe. One suspect removed a large quantity of money from the safe, while a second suspect bound the victim’s hands and robbed him of some personal belongings.

A second employee arrived at the store and was approached in the parking lot by another suspect. She was dragged from her car, into the store, and locked in the cigarette cage. Her hands were also bound, and she and the other victim were forced to lie on the floor in the cigarette cage.

All four suspects began loading a white van with a number of boxes containing cartons of cigarettes and then fled the area in the van. After freeing himself, the victim was able to call police.

A video re-enactment of this crime can be viewed by going to www.peelcrimestoppers.ca and clicking on the “ UNSOLVED CRIMES “ Section.

A similar robbery occurred at a Cash and Carry Store in Scarborough back on February 7th of this year. If you have any knowledge of bulk quantities of cigarettes being sold outside of the regular retail market, call Crime Stoppers. You are reminded that if you have purchased cartons of cigarettes outside of the regular retail market, you could face criminal prosecution.

If you can assist in solving this case or any other crime, Crime Stoppers would like to hear from you. If police make an arrest as a result of your call, you could become eligible for a cash reward. Remember with Crime Stoppers/Gun Stoppers you never have to give your name, you never have to testify in court and there is no call display. Crime Stoppers can be reached 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by calling toll free 1-800-222-8477, that’s 1-800-222-TIPS, or Via the Web at www.peelcrimestoppers.ca and click on “Submit a Tip”.