Police investigating string of overnight robberies at fast food restaurants downtown
Toronto police are investigating a string of overnight armed robberies at fast food restaurants and a convenience store downtown.
The first robbery happened in the area of Yonge and Front streets shortly before 9 p.m. on Friday.
Police say a man walked into a fast food restaurant carrying a blunt weapon and took cash from the register. He then fled the scene.
The second robbery occurred shortly after 4:30 a.m. on Saturday in the area of Queen and Beverly streets.
A suspect entered a fast food restaurant with a blunt object and was swinging it around, police say.
"I believe it's a stick or a club or a two-by-four and he would walk into these restaurants or convenience stores," Const. David Hopkinson told CP24.
He demanded money from everyone and then fled the store.
Shortly before 5 a.m., police received reports about a third incident at Bathurst and Dundas streets.
Police say a suspect entered a fast food restaurant carrying a blunt object and demanded money.
The suspect was confronted by a customer or employee and fled the store without obtaining anything, police say.
The last reported robbery occurred at 5:13 a.m. in the Dundas Street West and Manning Avenue area.
Police say a man entered a convenience store armed with a bunt object and demanded money from employees. He then fled the scene.
Police believe one male suspect is responsible for all four incidents.
"As the night progresses, his behavior becomes more aggressive and he's now swinging the stick and the club at people in the restaurants demanding money not just from the employees, but from the customers and patrons," Hopkinson said.
No one was injured in any of the incidents.
The suspect is described as white, between 25 and 30 years old, standing at five-foot-six-inches tall, with short dark hair. He was wearing a white t-shirt and off-white pants.
Police say not to approach the suspect but to call 911.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.