A 24-year-old Toronto man is facing charges and Peel Regional Police are hunting three more suspects in connection after a jewelry store owner was bloodied and beaten during a brazen heist in downtown Cooksville.
The suspect's arrest comes more than a week after the June 29 gunpoint robbery at Vasantha Jewellery at Hurontario and Dundas Sts. News From mississauga.com
Officers say two men and a woman entered the store around 2:45 p.m. They posed as customers shopping for an engagement ring while a get-away driver waited outside in a car.
When the owner showed them a ring, one of the men produced a gun. He pistol whipped and beat up the victim.
The intruders then took the victim to a back room, tied him up and forced him to turn over property.
He sustained serious cuts and bruises and was treated in hospital.
Police say the thieves left with more than $250,000 worth of gold bars, cash and jewelry as they smashed glass cases and turned over tables to get to the product.
The culprits fled in the get-away vehicle and were last seen travelling northbound on Hurontario St.
Police said evidence left behind by the bandits was instrumental in yesterday's arrest.
Humayoun Saleem is charged with robbery, forcible confinement, using an imitation firearm and assault causing bodily harm.
He was remanded in custody yesterday and will appear in court today.
The accused man's lawyer, Gary Batasar, said thus far, there is "zero evidence" against his client and he will "be mounting a vigorous defence."
Meanwhile, an arrest warrant has been issued for Another Hassan Jafri, 26, of Toronto. He is wanted for the same charges.
Police are looking for the get-away driver and a woman who is described as Middle Eastern with shoulder-length brown hair. She was wearing black capri-style pants, a beige shirt and high heel shoes.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Central Robbery Bureau at , ext. 3410.







