Five charged in Montreal jewelry store robbery may be linked to other cases

Montreal police say five people charged in connection with an armed robbery at a downtown jewelry store may also be tied to similar crimes in the city’s greater area. The accused are between 16 and 21 years old and face charges including breaking and entering, armed robbery, possession of burglary tools, disguise with criminal intent, mischief and possession of stolen property. Police said the robbery took place Friday afternoon at a jewelry store on Clark Street near Viger Avenue in VilleMarie. Masked suspects allegedly forced open the door, smashed display cases and stole jewelry while one employee was inside. No one was hurt. Investigators say the suspects fled by vehicle but were arrested a short time later near SaintLouis Street and AlexisNihon Boulevard in SaintLaurent, and the stolen jewelry was recovered. Police say the investigation is ongoing and is being coordinated with other police forces as they look into possible links to other smashandgrab robberies.