A Toronto teenager implicated in a brazen smash-and-grab robbery at a Barrie jewelry store last summer has received a sentence of time served, yet his legal troubles are far from over as he confronts additional weapons charges in a separate Toronto case.
Details of the Robbery
The teen admitted to being part of a group of four masked individuals who entered the Georgian Mall on the afternoon of August 18, 2025. They swiftly targeted Dia Amore Jewellers, using hammers to shatter glass display cases in a violent theft. According to CTV News, the thieves hastily grabbed merchandise before fleeing the scene in a stolen vehicle.
Evidence and Arrests
Following the robbery, authorities discovered a handgun, an ammunition clip, and a small sledgehammer left behind on the store floor, as reported by Barrie Today. This incident marked the second robbery at the store within a year, with a previous theft occurring in August 2024.
Police apprehended four robbery suspects and the suspected driver hours later after a high-speed chase on Highway 400. The getaway car crashed in a construction zone in Innisfil, leading to their arrest.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
The teen was the first among the five accused to be convicted, having pleaded guilty months after the incident. This week, he was sentenced to time served. However, he remains in custody as he awaits resolution of separate weapons charges in Toronto, with his 18th birthday approaching in May.
Impact on the Victim
Prior to sentencing, a judge read a statement from the jewelry store owner, who expressed living and working in constant fear since the robbery. "What was taken from us was more than merchandise," the statement said. "Our sense of safety, peace, and security has been shattered. The emotional damage will stay with us longer than any financial loss."
As part of his sentence, the teen will be placed on probation for two years, must adhere to a curfew, and is banned from entering Georgian Mall.
Other Suspects and Charges
Two youths were released on bail following their arrests, while Ahmed Al-Saeed, 22, and Jahzyi Smith, 19, remain incarcerated. Police noted that one of the youths was found with a fully loaded semi-automatic firearm at the time of arrest.
Of the five individuals charged, Al-Saeed is the only one from Barrie; the others hail from Toronto and Mississauga. They face multiple charges, including robbery with violence, disguise with intent, flight from a peace officer, dangerous operation of a vehicle, and possession of stolen property over and under $5,000.
The remaining four suspects are scheduled to return to court in March, as per CTV News. The identities of the youths are protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
