A brazen thief is striking the same downtown Toronto store twice, leaving authorities searching for a woman already wanted for a previous robbery. The incidents, occurring months apart, reveal a disturbing pattern of escalating aggression and a disregard for the safety of store employees.
The first confrontation unfolded on a March evening near Dundas Street West and Bay Street. The suspect allegedly filled a basket with merchandise, then left it outside the store, a calculated move to set the stage for a violent retrieval. When an employee brought the basket inside, the woman reportedly attacked two staff members, demanding its return.
The situation quickly turned dangerous as the suspect deployed an unknown irritant, incapacitating the employees before fleeing with the stolen goods. Details were scarce regarding the substance used, but the incident left a clear mark of fear and vulnerability within the store.
The suspect resurfaced on Friday evening, targeting the same location with a chilling familiarity. This time, she brandished what appeared to be pepper spray, intimidating staff and making off with another quantity of merchandise. She was last seen heading west on Dundas Street, disappearing into the city’s flow.
Police describe the suspect as a woman in her 20s, approximately 5-foot-6 with a slim to medium build. Distinctive tattoos offer potential leads: one on her finger and a star-shaped marking above her right hip. These details are crucial in identifying and apprehending the individual.
Meanwhile, in a separate case, a 25-year-old man from Brampton now faces serious charges related to a series of extortion-linked shootings in Caledon. The incidents, occurring in late October, involved targeted attacks on both a residence and a business.
Surveillance footage captured a disturbing scene near Old School Road and Creditview Road, where two individuals in a BMW SUV allegedly set fire to a driveway before opening fire on a nearby home. Fortunately, no one was injured during the brazen attack.
The same duo is then believed to have targeted a business near Advance Boulevard and Dixie Road in Brampton, firing multiple rounds from within their vehicle. Again, despite the reckless display of violence, no injuries were reported.
Iqbal Bhagria was arrested and charged with multiple offenses, including reckless discharge of a firearm, arson, and possession of an unauthorized weapon. Investigators are actively seeking the second suspect involved in these alarming events, urging anyone with information to come forward.
