Police advise public not to intervene in armed robberies
Police are issuing a warning to the public to never attempt to intervene during an armed robbery as a result of a frightening incident that happened Thursday night in St. John’s. Just before 9:30 p.m. Thursday, the RNC responded to a report that a man with a sawed-off shotgun and large hammer held up Charm Diamond Centre in the Village Shopping Centre.
It was reported the armed robber had fired a gun, but officers determined it had not been fired and that the hammer had been used to smash glass jewelry cases inside the store. There were no injuries in the incident.
Investigators have learned that bystanders who were in the mall at the time confronted the suspect as he was trying to run away, at which point the man pointed the firearm at them in an effort to escape.
Witnesses at the scene told The Telegram’s photographer that one man threw tools at the suspect.
Police are still searching for the suspect.
He’s described as being 5-5 with a slim build and had his face concealed during the robbery. He took off in a red oldermodel four-door car toward the area of Topsail Road from Columbus Drive.
Investigators are interested in speaking with anyone who has dash-cams or who witnessed anything suspicious in the area of the rear parking lot — near Klondike Jake’s — of the Village Shopping Centre before or after the robbery.
Anyone with information is asked to call the RNC at 7298000 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Information can be provided anonymously on the NL Crime Stoppers Website at www.nlcrimestoppers.com.