In this edition of Crime Report, two jewellery store incidents in the Greater Toronto Area underscore the importance of comprehensive physical security, with one vehicle-assisted robbery in Mississauga and an attempted break-in in North York.

Mississauga, Ont.

A jewellery store on Derry Road in Mississauga was targeted in a vehicle-assisted robbery at approximately 6:30 p.m. on October 18.

According to a security report, a white crossover-style vehicle was reversed into the storefront, breaching its physical protections and allowing as many as nine suspects to enter the premises. The value of the stolen merchandise has not yet been determined.

Although the store had bollards installed along its frontage, the incident exposed a significant vulnerability: a large gap on the left side provided enough clearance for a vehicle to reach the storefront.

More information is available at InSauga.

North York, Ont.

Two days later, another jewellery store in the GTA was targeted in an attempted robbery near Wilson Avenue and Keele Street in North York.

At approximately 2 p.m. on October 20, a young woman posing as a customer rang the store’s entry buzzer. Once the door was opened, she held it open to allow several suspects to enter the vestibule. The group then attempted to force open a second security door using hammers.

The store owner responded by keeping the second door closed and securing an interior metal gate, preventing the suspects from gaining access to the store.

The suspects abandoned the attempt after approximately one minute and fled. Employees contacted police, and four young male suspects were arrested and charged shortly afterwards. The woman who allegedly held the entrance door open has not been accounted for in the available reports.

CityNews Toronto carried a detailed report.

Security takeaway

These two incidents demonstrate the importance of layered security measures in jewellery retail environments. While physical barriers such as bollards can help deter vehicle attacks, they must provide continuous protection across vulnerable storefront areas. Bollards are only effective when positioned to prevent vehicles from bypassing them. Retailers should assess their storefronts for potential gaps and ensure that additional barriers are installed wherever necessary to prevent vehicle-based attacks.

Information brought to you by CJB Insurance Services Inc.