Arrests made in separate robberies in Etobicoke pharmacies, Yorkdale Mall

Toronto police say arrests have been made in connection with the robbery of three Etobicoke pharmacies and a separate burglary at Yorkdale Mall on Friday.

Police said the first robbery occurred at a pharmacy in the West Mall Bloor Plaza, located near Bloor Street West and The West Mall, at around 3:10 p.m.

Investigators allege the four teenage boys, who were armed with handguns, robbed the store and assaulted a woman in her 70s before fleeing the area in a grey truck.

The second incident, police said, occurred at a plaza near Rexdale and Humberwood boulevards about 25 minutes later.

According to police, the suspects brandished weapons and wore masks as the robbed a pharmacy of drugs and money. Police also said an employee of the store was assaulted.

The third robbery occurred at Elmhurst Plaza, located near Elmhurst Drive and Islington Avenue, shortly after 4 p.m.

Police said the suspects also assaulted a pharmacy employee and robbed the store of drugs and cash.

None of the injured employees sustained serious injuries, police confirm.

“Based on how they committed these robberies, based on the types of weapons they used, the descriptions given by witnesses, we believe these three robberies are committed by the same group of four people," Const. David Hopkinson said.

He said the level of violence that occurred in the three robberies concerns them as it is something police don't characterically see

Hopkinson said one of the four boys has been arrested. Officers continue to look for the remaining three suspects.

Yorkdale Mall robbery

A robbery at Yorkdale Shopping Centre was reported shortly after the earlier robberies and police said the mall was placed in hold and secure as a result of the incident.

Police said five teenage suspects who were wearing masks used hammers to smash a display case at a store in the busy shopping centre.

One suspect was taken into custody after a brief foot pursuit, police said. The other four were later located by the canine unit.

Police said the two robberies are not related.

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