Smash-and-Grab Robbery at Georgian Mall Triggers Arrests and Full Evacuation
Let me walk you through what happened at Georgian Mall in Barrie, because this was a frightening and chaotic situation that unfolded quickly and caught a lot of shoppers completely off guard. On Friday afternoon, December 19, a reported smash-and-grab robbery at a jewelry store inside the mall led to a full evacuation and a massive police response. By the end of it all, three suspects had been taken into custody and a vehicle believed to be involved was recovered.
According to police and witness accounts, the robbery happened at a jewelry store on the lower level of the mall. What made this especially unsettling is the timing and location. The incident took place near the area where Santa Claus was meeting children, which meant families and kids were very close when everything broke out. It was later reported that pepper spray may have been used during the robbery, adding to the panic and confusion inside the mall.
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Videos shared on social media showed a group of masked suspects, dressed in all black, smashing glass display cases with what appeared to be hammers. The entire scene looked fast, aggressive, and coordinated. Shoppers and employees were quickly ushered out as police moved in, and the mall was fully evacuated as a precaution.
A heavy police presence was seen almost immediately. Witnesses reported at least six Barrie Police cruisers and a fire truck racing north on Bayfield Street toward the mall. Barrie Police later confirmed that officers responded in large numbers, with assistance from the Ontario Provincial Police as the investigation continued. While exact details were initially limited, authorities advised the public to avoid the area while the situation was being secured.
CTV News also obtained viewer-submitted video that appeared to show suspects smashing display cases at the Charm Diamond Centre inside the mall. Those images quickly spread online, giving the public a clearer picture of just how brazen the robbery was.
Thankfully, police were able to arrest three suspects not long after the incident, and a vehicle connected to the robbery was located. While investigators are still working to determine whether additional suspects may be involved, officials have said more information will be released as it becomes available.
For many people in Barrie, this incident was a shocking reminder of how quickly a normal shopping day can turn into an emergency. With the holidays just around the corner and malls packed with families, the event has understandably left shoppers shaken, even as police work to ensure the community remains safe.
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