Man charged in 8 robberies

Toronto police charged a 25-year-old man Wednesday in a string of eight retail robberies over the past week, all in the city’s west end.

Half the alleged incidents ended with the culprit fleeing empty-handed.

The first robbery happened at Spadina Ave. and Adelaide St. W. on Fri., Jan. 19.

Police said a man walked into a store there at about 7:30 p.m., pulled a toy gun off the wall and put it in his pocket. He then pointed the fake firearm at a cashier and fled with cash.

The next day, at 6:30 a.m., police said a man flashed a knife inside a store at Bloor St. W. and Runnymede Rd., in Bloor West Village. The cashier fled from the back of the store and the bandit left with nothing.

Then, on Sunday, Jan. 21, a man passed a note to a cashier inside a restaurant near Queen St. W. and Jameson Ave., saying he was armed and wanted money.

Hours later, at 8 p.m., a man pointed a fake gun at a cashier inside a store near St. Clair Ave. W. and Oakwood Ave., police allege. When the cashier realized it was fake, the man took off.

Police allege a man walked into a coffee shop a short distance away, at St. Clair Ave. W. and Christie St., and passed a note to the cashier, saying he was armed and wanted cash. He received money and left.

Twenty minutes after that, a man walked into a nearby ice-cream store at Bloor St. W. and Christie and passed the cashier a similar note, police allege.

Ten minutes later, a man walked into a variety store a short walk away at Dovercourt Rd. and Bloor St. W. Police allege the man demanded cash, but the owner chased him out of the store.

Finally, on Monday, a man asked a cashier at a grocery store near Queen St. W. and Dufferin St. for money, saying he had a gun, police said.

Toronto police arrested Taylor Cleaver Weatherill, 25.