Key Takeaways
- Four youths, aged 14 to 17, have been charged with robbery and other offenses after an attempted robbery at Erin Mills Town Centre in Mississauga
- The suspects, wearing all-black and carrying hammers, were pursued by mall security and an on-site police officer before they could steal any property
- A stolen Honda CR-V was recovered, and all four suspects were arrested within three minutes of fleeing the mall
- No injuries were reported, and the group was also linked to an earlier robbery attempt in York region
- The four youths were charged with robbery, attempt to commit an indictable offence, possession of property obtained by crime, and disguise with intent
Introduction to the Incident
The Peel police have successfully foiled an attempted robbery at Erin Mills Town Centre in Mississauga, resulting in the arrest of four youths and the recovery of a stolen vehicle. According to a news release issued by the Peel Regional Police on Sunday, the incident occurred on Wednesday at around 2:50 p.m. when four masked individuals, aged 14 to 17, entered the mall wearing all-black and carrying hammers. The swift response of the mall security and an on-site police officer prevented the suspects from stealing any property, and a pursuit ensued.
The Pursuit and Arrest
The suspects were pursued by the mall security and the police officer, and one person was arrested at the scene. However, the other three suspects managed to escape in a Honda CR-V, which was later found to be stolen. The Peel police officers were able to box in the vehicle, and after a brief foot chase, they arrested the three suspects within three minutes of them fleeing the mall. A video provided by the Peel police shows officers taking down multiple suspects on a neighborhood street. Fortunately, no injuries were reported during the incident.
Commendation for Security and Police
The Peel police have commended the mall security for their role in apprehending one of the suspects. In a video posted on social media, Const. Tyler Bell-Morena praised the security team, saying they did a "phenomenal job" in responding to the incident. He also expressed his satisfaction with the swift resolution of the situation, stating, "Bing bang boom, everything wrapped up inside of three minutes. All four in custody." The successful outcome of the incident is a testament to the effective collaboration between the mall security and the police.
Charges and Link to Earlier Robbery
The four youths were charged with robbery, attempt to commit an indictable offence, possession of property obtained by crime, and disguise with intent. The Peel police also revealed that the group was linked to an earlier robbery attempt in York region. The charges and the link to the earlier incident suggest that the group may have been involved in a series of criminal activities, and the police are likely to investigate further to determine the extent of their involvement.
Conclusion
The attempted robbery at Erin Mills Town Centre in Mississauga was foiled due to the quick response of the mall security and the police. The arrest of the four youths and the recovery of the stolen vehicle are a significant achievement for the Peel police, and the incident highlights the importance of collaboration between law enforcement agencies and private security personnel. The charges and the link to the earlier robbery attempt in York region also underscore the need for continued vigilance and cooperation to prevent and investigate criminal activities. As the police continue to investigate the incident, it is essential for the community to remain informed and supportive of the efforts to maintain public safety.
