Barrie jewelry store hit again, second heist in a year; five suspects caught after Highway 400 chase

A jewelry store inside Barrie’s Georgian Mall was robbed Monday afternoon(August 18) for the second time in less than a year, triggering a swift police response that ended with five suspects in custody after a high-speed chase along Highway 400.

Police said officers were called to Dia Amore Jewellers shortly before 2 pm, after a group of men smashed display cases, stole merchandise, and fled toward the lower-level parking lot. Witnesses described the getaway vehicle, a Honda Civic, which officers soon spotted heading south on Highway 400.

The pursuit ended when the Civic, later confirmed to have been stolen in Toronto last week, lost control while attempting to exit at Innisfil Beach Road and skidded off the highway. The suspects fled on foot but were arrested within 30 minutes.

Charges and custody

The accused, aged 16 to 21 and from Toronto, Mississauga, and Barrie, now face multiple charges, including robbery with violence, disguise with intent, possession of stolen property, flight from police, and dangerous operation. Police said a 17-year-old among the group was allegedly carrying a loaded semi-automatic firearm and faces additional weapons charges, including possession of a firearm obtained by crime and carrying a concealed weapon. All five remain in custody pending bail hearings.

Repeat target

Monday’s robbery comes almost exactly one year after Dia Amore Jewellers was first targeted. On August 26, 2024, four suspects smashed display cases and escaped with what police described as “hundreds of thousands of dollars” worth of jewelry. Investigators at the time said one suspect may have been armed, and one person suffered minor injuries.

Owner response

The store owners declined on-camera interviews this week, saying they felt unsafe speaking publicly. In a written statement to CTV News, they said: “Innocent people work hard every day, but the law seems to punish innocent people. This is not even a surprising incident, as this is happening daily. These kinds of acts don’t just hurt us, but they affect many people.” (CTV News, August 19, 2025).

Wider concerns

Smash-and-grab robberies have become an increasing concern across Ontario in recent years, with thieves often using stolen vehicles and coordinated escape routes. Another jewelry store at a Barrie shopping centre was hit in a similar attack, when suspects shattered glass cases and fled in a dark vehicle.

Police say Monday’s rapid arrests highlight the importance of immediate witness reports, but investigators are still reviewing security footage and have not yet disclosed the value of the jewelry taken. Authorities are urging anyone with dashcam or surveillance video from the Georgian Mall or Highway 400 corridor during the incident to come forward.