Harold the jewellery buyer pistol-whipped during robbery

TORONTO – A well-known Toronto jewellery buyer says he feels lucky to be alive after being pistol-whipped during a negotiation on Friday.

Harold Gerstel, better known as Harold the jewellery buyer, tells Global News that he was in negotiations with 29-year old Khan Facey on Friday over rings that Facey was trying to sell.

Facey then allegedly pulled the gun – allegedly unprovoked – and beat Gerstel with it.

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Gerstel suffered a black eye and numerous stitches.

According to police, Facey also made a demand for jewelley and fled the scene with an unknown amount of jewellery.

Gerstel tells Global News reporter Catherine McDonald that he feels lucky to be back at work after the ordeal.

Police were able to make a quick arrest with information provided by Gerstel. Facey had been in the store numerous times in the preceding days, and –surprisingly to Gerstel – openly provided his name, the jewellery-buyer told Global News.

Police located, arrested, and charged Facey on Saturday. He’s charged with armed robbery, aggravated assault, and careless storage of a firearm.

This incident is just the latest in a string of crimes surrounding Toronto’s jewellery business. In December 2010, Gerstel’s store was engulfed in flames during what officials described as an apparent arson.