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
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.