Montreal police say youths are being recruited for robberies and other crimes

Montreal police say more jewelry store thefts and robberies across the city are involving minors, sometimes as young as 13. Officers say the trend is part of a broader pattern of youth criminal exploitation. In the first nine months of the year, police recorded 46 jewelry store thefts, armed robberies, and breakins, compared with 15 incidents in all of 2022. Investigators say some young people are being drawn in with the promise of easy money, even though they often cannot profit from selling stolen jewelry. Police said the issue is not limited to jewelry store cases and that young people are also being recruited into other crimes, including arson and shootings. They are working with community partners on prevention efforts. The story follows a robbery at a Montrealarea jewelry store on Thursday, when a vehicle was driven through the storefront before items were taken. The store owner said he was shocked by the damage but plans to reopen.