'This isn’t going to happen today': Staff at Kitchener business recall how they thwarted attempted robbery
Mallory Robinson says it was “a little more than [she] was expecting” when she arrived at work Wednesday morning.
Robinson was in her family’s store, Connect Equipment, on Huron Road near Trussler Road in Kitchener, when she says two shoplifters tried to take off with around $5,000 worth of tools like chainsaws and quick-cuts.
It happened around 11 a.m. and the entire incident was captured on security cameras.
“They had product in their hands and they were running as fast as they could out the front door,” Robinson said. “So I started screaming for all the guys, yelling ‘You’re not going to rob us!’ And I’m running out after them and all the guys are following behind me.”
Robinson and around five other employees chased the men out the door as they jumped into a car.
She says she was determined not to let them get away.
“It’s a family owned business, I’m part of the family, my father is the manager here and it just wasn’t going to happen – that’s what was going through my head – nope this isn’t going to happen today, that’s not how it’s going to go down,” Robinson said.
Mallory Robinson says she's worked at her family's business, Connect Equipment in Kitchener, for around 15 years. They've been robbed several times at night, but never during the day with staff there. (Stefanie Davis/CTV Kitchener)
Robinson stood in front of the car in an attempt to block it, but was pushed backward when then driver hit the gas pedal.
"I don’t even know what made me think to do that, I just went and did it and regretted it almost instantaneously,” she said with a laugh.
Jeff Sallans, the owner of Connect Equipment, says when he heard Robinson yell, he took off from his office.
“We all chased them, they all lost control and hit this skid-steer [tractor]. That’s when they all fled. They jumped out of the car and fled and we tried to grab them the best we could,” he explained.
Together, the employees held the driver until police arrived. The four other men in the car took off on foot, but were later caught by police.
Staff say the men attempted to take off in this car, but lost control trying to exit the parking lot and crashed into a tractor. (Submitted)
A hold and secure was put in place at two local schools, Janet Metcalfe and Jean Steckle, while police searched for the men.
Police confirmed they were able to catch all the people who were allegedly involved in the attempted robbery.
Sallans says it means a lot that his staff were willing to go above and beyond for the store.
“I told my staff afterwards ‘if I get in a fight somewhere, I want them beside me,” Sallans said with a laugh.
“I was pretty impressed that they came out and were after these guys so quick, otherwise they would have gotten away.”
He says he’s happy with the outcome.
“We’ve been robbed here so many times so it’s a little bit of satisfaction to actually catch somebody doing it,” he said.
“It was a little bit of a joy I guess.”
As for Robinson, she says she has no regrets about how she handled the situation and would do it again – with one possible exception.
“I would probably react the same way, but not be as stupid to stand in front of the vehicle this time,” she said.
THE ARRESTS
On Thursday afternoon, police confirmed they arrested five men in connection to the attempted robbery.
In a release, Waterloo regional police said when officers arrived at the business, they placed the driver under arrest.
Police located and arrested the other four people using dogs.
Police said the group were driving a stolen vehicle. The men, who range in age from 22 to 32 year old were jointly charged with robbery. Two of them were wanted by other police services for multiple offences including fraud and property crimes.
Police also seized suspected heroin and crystal meth.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
New charges for Ont. woman who previously admitted to defrauding doulas
The Brantford, Ont. woman who was previously sentenced to house arrest after admitting to deceiving doulas has been charged again in connection to a new victim.