One arrest, four suspects still wanted for armed robbery at Waterloo jewelry store

New details have been released about a smash-and-grab robbery at a jewelry store in Waterloo.

On Wednesday, at around 4:20 p.m., five males entered the unnamed store at Conestoga Mall and began destroying display cases.

“They were equipped with hammers and what was believed to be bear mace,” said Const. Chris Iden with the Waterloo Regional Police Service.

Video, shared with CTV News, showed several people grabbing merchandise at Raffi Jewellers.

Image taken from viewer video of a jewelry store robbery at Conestoga Mall in Waterloo.

Police said the suspects got away in a waiting vehicle.

However, officers spotted it and used a spike strip to stop the car. But by the time they caught up, the suspects had fled.

“They set up a containment area where they were able to locate one individual,” Iden said.

Police then called in patrol and canine units, their emergency response unit and Direct Action Response Team to search for the four that got away.

A Waterloo Regional Police car outside Conestoga Mall in Waterloo, Ont. on Dec. 18, 2024. (Colton Wiens/CTV News)

The man officers arrested has only been identified as a 22-year-old from Toronto. He’s been charged with possession of a weapon, robbery with a weapon, disguise with intent and two counts of possession of stolen goods over $5,000.

Police also believe he participated in a similar smash-and-grab in Cambridge.

On Tuesday, three people with hammers robbed a jewelry store at the Cambridge Centre. The suspects also got away in a waiting vehicle in the parking lot.

Police later released photos of the three suspects, taken from security cameras inside the mall.

Security images released by Waterloo Regional Police as part of a robbery investigation at the Cambridge Centre Mall. (Course: WRPS)

Anyone with information on either of these incidents is asked to contact Waterloo Regional Police or Crime Stoppers.