Rise in jewelry store robberies [Video]

A crime and safety expert said an uptick of jewelry store robberies from the GTA on down to the London region is likely tied to organized crime.

The comments come from CTV Public Safety Analyst and former OPP Commissioner Chris Lewis and follow a violent attempted robbery in London this week.

“That’s often the case that they’re going from some other larger centre and then hitting a lot of smaller markets, and then getting back to the larger centre,” explained Lewis.

Late Tuesday afternoon, an SUV pulled into a shopping plaza at Wharncliffe and Baseline Roads in London. Police said four men wearing masks got out and attempted to smash their way into a jewelry store.

They were unsuccessful and fled in their vehicle. An hour later, an SUV matching the description of the suspect vehicle was spotted driving dangerously in Tillsonburg. It eluded police.

“They’re often using vehicles that are stolen, or license plates that …