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LPB 34/2022
ARMED ROBBERY, ST. CATHARINES ON We have seen a number of reports regarding an armed robbery at a shopping mall at Fairview Mall on Geneva Street and North Service Road in St. Catharines ON. The report indicates that, at approximately 11 am on Wednesday 11 May 2022, two persons wearing dark clothing and motorcycle helmets, at least one of whom was carrying a firearm of some description, entered a jewellery business inside the mall. Two persons inside the store were attacked with bear spray, and shots were fired as the pair fled, resulting in serious injury to a third person. The two robbers made their escape on a sports motorcycle. The amount of the loss is unknown. Niagara Regional Police have attended and are investigating. Please see the following link: https://globalnews.ca/news/8826777/daytime-shooting-near-st-catharines-mall/ COMMENT: Although we cannot be certain at this early stage, there are a number of details, such as the relatively small number of persons involved, the relatively distant geographical location, the use of bear spray to attack persons in the store, and the use of a motorcycle to escape, that suggest that this robbery was not carried out by the same persons who have carried out a string of armed robberies in Toronto and the York region in the last two weeks. All jewellers should continue to be on their guard against the risk of robbery. We assess that further robberies targeting jewellers are very likely and may occur at any time. TIPS: • Any jeweller can be targeted for robbery, no matter whether the business is in an enclosed mall, the high street or anywhere else! Always treat the possibility of robbery as a serious threat! Do not imagine that your business is too small to be robbed, or that you are too well protected! • Wherever possible we recommend all retail jewellers install and use controlled entry systems. This is especially important when there may be only one person in the store. If you use controlled entry, give your staff clear authority to deny entrance to customers if the employee feels it is unsafe to do so. • Jewellers should review and if necessary upgrade their security measures to reduce the likelihood of robbery. Such measures might include reducing the amount of stock on display, hiring on-site security, installing and using a controlled entry system, or admitting clients by prior appointment only. • Try to have at least two persons in your store at all times. Never leave the sales floor unattended when the store is open to the public! • We recommend jewellers install showcases made of laminated glass, or that are protected on all surfaces with a professionally-installed shatter-resistant film. Showcases made of such material will resist attack longer than ordinary glass and may help to reduce the amount of the loss. Frames should similarly be made of materials resistant to physical attack. • There is no reason to place all your stock into your showcases, especially if you carry multiple examples of similar or identical pieces (i.e. gold chain, watches etc.). Consider displaying only a third or a half of your stock at a time, and keep the rest locked in your safe. • Opening and closing times are common times for jewellers to be robbed. Do not admit anyone other than employees while setting up for the day, or once you have closed for business. • Install and use a good quality video recording system. Make sure there are enough cameras to capture video of every part of the store, and that recordings are saved and retrievable for at least thirty days. A good camera system may provide valuable evidence to investigators. Do not depend on others to operate the system for you: learn how to use it yourself. • If you are robbed, you have lost control of the situation and cannot prevent the robbery without risking the lives of yourself and your staff. Obey all instructions and do not resist. Do NOT press the panic button until it is safe to do so. Your aim must be to get the robbers out of the store as quickly as possible and minimise the risk of harm to yourself and your staff. Your life is more important than your jewellery! |
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