Thieves Break Into Mississauga Store, Smash Window to Escape
Peel police are currently on the hunt for four individuals who broke into a store in Mississauga, Canada, and resorted to smashing the front window with an axe in order to escape after the owner locked them inside. The incident, which took place on Friday at around 5 p.m., saw the thieves make off with merchandise worth an estimated $12,000 to $15,000.
The targeted store is Pure10, a retailer specializing in sneakers, streetwear, and designer items, located on Lakeshore Road East in Mississauga’s Port Credit neighborhood. According to James Latini, the store owner, security camera footage captured the entire incident. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and as of now, no arrests have been made.
Latini revealed that in order to control access to his store, he keeps the front door locked and lets customers in only after they knock. On the day of the robbery, a masked individual came to the door, and as Latini unlocked it, three more masked individuals stormed in, pushing him aside. The thieves, who appeared to be teenagers, quickly began grabbing clothing from the racks.
In a split-second decision to protect himself, Latini went outside and locked the thieves inside before running to call the police. Realizing they were trapped, one of the thieves pulled out an axe and used it to smash through the front window. The video footage shows them escaping one by one, clutching handfuls of stolen clothing. Once they were all outside, they made a quick getaway in a stolen car parked nearby, laden with their loot.
Although bystanders managed to capture the getaway car’s license plate on video, it was soon discovered to be stolen. Latini also revealed that there had been a previous robbery attempt at his store the week before, carried out by a different group of individuals who tried to break in through the back door using a crowbar. Thankfully, they were unsuccessful.
The incident has left store owners in the Port Credit neighborhood feeling on edge. Lucie Zima, owner of Zest for Living, a gift shop neighboring Pure10, described the event as shocking and truly brazen, especially in a community that rarely experiences such crimes in broad daylight.
Councillor Stephen Dasko, representing the area, expressed his dismay and emphasized the importance of increased police presence and vigilance in the neighborhood. Dasko stated that the robbery is particularly unsettling for a community unaccustomed to such acts, emphasizing the need to prevent them from becoming the norm.
The Peel police’s robbery bureau is actively investigating the incident. As residents and store owners try to come to terms with the shocking events, the focus remains on supporting law enforcement efforts and ensuring the safety and security of the community.
