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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday July 9, 2008 - 3 Mall merchants shaken by robbery attempt Continued from page 1 "It is unfortunate, but anything good in terms of higherend products is always going to be a target no matter which city it is located in, whether it is Kitchener, Guelph, Brampton, Mississauga or Oakville," he said. The trail of events began in Burlington around 6:45 p.m. when the Knar Jewellery store manager, Jon Walker, came home and was accosted by a male in his 20s, who was already in the house and brandishing a handgun. After tying up Jon and wife, Dawn, the suspect stole the couple's 2005 Honda Civic and the keys to Knar Jewellery, according to Halton police. Police say the intruder was "overly polite" during the break in and assured the couple, who was new to the area, that he wasn't going to hurt them. "For a bad guy, he (the suspect) was pretty polite," said Staff Sgt. Troy Izlakar, with the Burlington Division of the Halton Regional Police, who based his comment on discussions officers had with the couple. "He told the wife everything is going to be OK." Izlakar said the husband was bound and gagged, but Dawn was only bound because she said she had a breathing condition. The couple managed to eventually break free and Walker called police at around 8:30 p.m. Oakville police officers raced to Knar Jewellery, where they found the stolen car outside of the store. "The suspect demanded keys to the store and information in regards to the alarm system. So as a precaution, they had officers in Oakville go to that jewelry store very quickly and that was where they were able to find the car out front," said Izlakar. Information obtained at the scene led police to believe that the suspect was inside. Police established a perimeter and neighbouring businesses were evacuated. Members of the Halton Regional Police and Peel Regional Police tactical teams were called to the scene. "Because of the kind of search they were doing, up in the ceilings, they (Halton police) requested the assistance of the Peel tactical team," Izlakar said. Chadha arrived at the crime scene early Monday night. He used his knowledge of the building's design and floor plans to assist the tactical teams. Designer's Optical was closed on Tuesday morning due to damage that occurred as a result of the tactical team search. Chadha said he was planning on helping the owners of the jewelry store do RIZIERO VERTOLLI / OAKVILLE BEAVER CRIME SCENE: A police officer enters Knar Jewellery on Tuesday morning. inventory later that day. "We don't know what has been taken, but the safe was not open," said Chadha. The experience was upsetting for staff at local businesses, like hairdresser Berin, who was working at Magicuts, located two doors down, when police moved in Monday night. She said she did not hear the jewelry store's alarm go off. "I didn't see or hear anything and all of a sudden there was police everywhere and they phoned us to tell us to lock our doors and to stay inside and be safe," said Berin, who did not want her last name used. Officers escorted Berin out of the store through the back door at about 11 p.m. on Monday night. "I never expected anything like this to happen in Oakville," Berin said. "It was a big surprise for me. I've been here close to four years and I've never seen anything like this." About an hour later, at approximately 12:15 a.m., tactical officers entered the jewelry store and cleared it. No one was found inside. Businesses located in close vicinity to the jewelry store were also searched, but the suspect was not located. Magicuts was also closed for business on Tuesday. Broken ceiling tiles littered the business as hairdressers used the brooms usually used for sweeping up clients' hair clippings to clean up the mess. Rhonda Tang-Wing, store manager, found out about the attempted robbery while watching the 11 p.m. news. She arrived at the store in the morning to find her ceiling extensively damaged. Tang-Wing has served as manager of the store since the plaza opened more than three and a half years ago. She said she is shocked something like this happened. "I was very surprised," TangWing said. She said Jon Walker often comes in for haircuts at the business. "Jon is a very nice person," said Tang-Wing. Chadha also expressed sympathy for the Walker family. He said that Walker has been the manager of the jewelry store for about a year. "It is unfortunate what happened to him," said Chadha. "I see him almost every day. He basically left work and went home and they were waiting for him. This was all planned out." By Tuesday afternoon, the forensics team was wrapping up their investigation, although results were not being made public at that time. Police did confirm that someone entered the store. "At this time, it would appear that someone was inside at some point," said Det. Jeff Hill, of the Halton Regional Police. Buzbuzian said the store's current security system is being reviewed. "If there are any additional precautions or security measures, then we'll certainly go to the extent that we can," he said. As a result of the incident, Chadha said he will be installing more extensive security measures in the local Designer's Optical store. "We've already called the security company to install cameras inside and outside," Chadha said. Tang-Wing said she hopes that security measures will be boosted, especially since the hair salon is open at night. "I hope the plaza will have security (guards)," she said. "They used to in the beginning, but it stopped, so we hope it will happen again because the businesses are open late. I think that is everyone's sentiment." The Walker family was being questioned again by police on Tuesday. Police say the entire family is in good health. "They are fine, besides being shaken up over the whole incident," Izlakar said. Buzbuzian had not spoken to Walker by early Tuesday afternoon, but said he hoped that he would return to work at the store. Police describe the suspect as a white male in his early 20s, with a thin build. He was last seen wearing corrective glasses, blue jeans and a dark shirt. Police say there may be other suspects and vehicles involved. The matter is still under investigation by Burlington and Oakville detectives. "We are looking for one suspect, but there is a possibility there is other involved parties," said Hill. "At this point in the investigation, it is too early to comment on leads as we have more information to gather." Police cannot confirm if the crime was premeditated, but are not ruling out that possibility. "Obviously common sense would lead you to believe that the suspect had prior knowledge before entering the house," said Izlakar. The stolen vehicle located at the business was a 2005 four-door grey Honda Civic. Anyone who may have seen this vehicle enter the mall at Cornwall and Trafalgar roads in Oakville or being driven in Burlington after 7:45 p.m. is asked to call Halton Regional Police Service Criminal Investigation Bureau at 905878-5511, ext. 2315 (Burlington) or 905878-5511(2215) Oakville or by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222TIPS(8477). - With files from Jason Misner, Burlington Post. n-one Spec Hole-i ial A 20% off all "in-shop" window repairs. You bring in the frame... we'll put in your glass. 48 hour turnaround (in-shop sealed unit replacements will take 7-10 business days) Sale ends August 2, 2008 550 Bronte Rd., Oakville 905.827.2951 GARDEN RENOVATIONS? 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