Thieves Use Excavator to Smash Into Bank, Steal ATM: Toronto Police

Thieves Use Excavator to Smash Into Bank, Steal ATM: Toronto Police
A logo at the Toronto Police Services headquarters, in Toronto, on Aug. 9, 2019. The Canadian Press/Christopher Katsarov
Chandra Philip
Updated:
0:00

Toronto police are investigating after thieves used an excavator to smash through a North York TD Bank branch and steal the ATM.

A spokesperson with the Toronto Police Service (TPS) told The Epoch Times in an email that the incident happened around 4:26 a.m. on Dec. 31 in the Bathurst Street and Lawrence Avenue area. It is being investigated as a break-and-enter, and the thieves were able to get away with the ATM, the email said.

There was no word on how much money was inside the machine at the time.

No injuries were reported, police said. No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing.

It’s not the first robbery police have been called to this holiday season.

TPS have arrested a trio of teens after a jewellery store robbery on Dec. 30, according to a Dec. 31 news release.

The teens were among five suspects that are believed to have entered the store at Sheppard Avenue East and Don Mills Road around 8:43 p.m. that evening.

Police said the suspects were wearing masks at the time and smashed the front glass door of the store with hammers. Once inside, the suspects smashed glass display cases and took the jewellery. They then fled the store.

Officers who responded to the call found the teens in the area, the release said.

A 14-year-old male, 15-year-old male, and 17-year-old male are facing charges including robbery with an offensive weapon, and disguise with intent. The two older teens have also been charged with failure to comply with undertaking. TPS said there is no description of the other two suspects.

Suspects Sought

North York Regional Police say they are looking for six suspects after a financial institution was robbed on Dec. 23 around 5:30 p.m.
The incident happened around Markham Road and Highglen Avenue, according to a Dec. 24 police news release.

“Six suspects brandishing firearms entered and ordered patrons onto the ground,” the release said.

The financial institution and customers inside were robbed, police said.

An employee was assaulted during the robbery, according to the release. They were taken to hospital with what have been described as minor injuries.

Police said the suspects left in a dark sport utility vehicle after taking cash and cellphones during the robbery.

All six suspects are male and have been described as black or having brown skin.

The first suspect is said to have a thin build and was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, black pants, grey shoes, and a black mask. The second man was also wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, black pants, and a black mask. He was also described as having on a black hat, white socks, blue gloves, and dirty white shoes.

The third man was said to have a thin build, wearing a black balaclava, a grey Nike hooded sweatshirt with matching track pants, blue gloves, and black and white shoes. He was carrying a brown and black backpack, according to the release.

A fourth suspect was described as wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, black pants, a black mask, red and black gloves, and black shoes. He was carrying a blue and white bag and had a firearm, police said.

Police have described the fifth suspect as having a thin build, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, black Nike pants, a black mask, white gloves, and black shoes. He was said to have a Jansport backpack and also had a gun.

The final suspect in the robbery was said to have a thin build, was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, black pants, a white mask, one yellow glove and one blue glove, black shoes, and was also carrying a gun.

Police have asked anyone with information to contact them at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 6630, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Anonymous tips can also be made online at www.1800222tips.com.