Global News has obtained surveillance video appearing to show a jewelry store robbery involving a firearm in Mississauga earlier this week.
The video, which is just under five minutes in length, shows three suspects entering the store, with one appearing to immediately pull out a firearm and aim it at a worker.
Throughout the video, it appears one suspect remains at the back of the store while two others take items from the shelves.
After less then four minutes, they leave the business.
Peel Regional Police told Global News the incident happened around 3:15 p.m. on Tuesday in the area of Airport and Derry roads.
“Three suspects entered the establishment — one suspect armed with a firearm. The suspects fled with an amount of jewelry,” police said, adding that all suspects are males.
Fifty-nine-year-old Liaqad Ali, whose son owns Lahore Jewellers, told Global News he was helping customers at the store when the suspects entered.
He said they immediately rushed toward him, brandishing a gun, and knocked him to the ground.
One of the suspects put their boot on his chest, pinning him to the floor, he said.
Ali said he was screaming for God to help him as the suspects ransacked the shop. He said he thought he might die.
Ali said the suspects then pointed the gun at his nine-year-old grandson’s head.
Ghulam Nabi, Ali’s son, called the incident “shocking.”
Nabi said he came to Canada from Pakistan because they felt it was a safe place to raise his family.
But after his son was held at gunpoint, he feels it is no longer a safe country to live in.
Nabi said his son — who could be heard yelling in the video — was terrified.
Nabi said he has been shaken by the incident, saying he hasn’t been sleeping well at night.
- Toronto Pearson gold heist: Ontario man arrested at airport after arriving from India
- A look at the twisted crimes of Peter Demeter, one of Canada’s worst criminals
- ‘I believe they’re looking for me’: Man arrested after triple stabbing in Mississauga, Ont.
- Drake’s Toronto mansion sees another intruder trespass on property
According to Nabi, the suspects took $12,000 in cash from the store’s safe, and all of the gold items from the store – worth around $500,000. He said they do not have insurance to cover the loss.
The store is currently closed because they have “nothing left to sell,” Nabi said.
Ultimately, though, he said he doesn’t care about the money.
“I care about my son,” Nabi said.
According to police, Ali was taken to a local hospital with minor injuries as a result of the incident.
Ali told Global News that he suffers from a heart condition, and was hurt when the suspect stepped on his chest.
Police said one of the suspects was wearing black and grey camouflage sweatpants, a black hooded sweatshirt, black gloves and was holding a gun.
The second suspect was wearing black pants, a black hooded sweatshirt with a black jacket, and red and black shoes, police said.
The third suspect was reported to be wearing black and grey sweatpants, a grey hoodie with a black jacket, and black and white shoes.
Police said they fled in a vehicle.
Officers are continuing to investigate.
-With files from Global News’ Catherine McDonald
Comments