The front pane of glass of Tech Zone in New Toronto is the most recent of four smash-and-grabs as owner now has to pay from his own pocket. Photo by Charles Smith.
Toronto Police are searching for a suspect who was involved in a brazen smash-and-grab incident at a popular computer store in New Toronto.
The suspect took a heavy brick or rock and smashed a large pane of glass at the 2867 Lake Shore Blvd. W. store around 7:30 a.m. on December 29, according to witnesses and the store’s owner.
It was the fourth known smash-and-grab incidents in the last three weeks to plague businesses in Long Branch and New Toronto.
Tech Zone owner Ali is frustrated as this is the second incident at his store and he stands to lose a lot of money this busy season.
At least three Long Branch businesses, including a Korean restaurant, nearby variety store and Holy Cannoli Toronto dessert shop were robbed after their glass doors or large panes of glass were smashed by thieves who entered the premises and stole goods.
It is not known if the robberies are related but there has been no arrests.
Ali, the owner of Tech Zone, in New Toronto, said the thieves went inside his store after smashing the glass and stole more than $1,000 worth of computer goods.
More than $1,000 worth of high-tech computer goods were stolen from the well-stocked store.
He said a large sheet of plywood had to be placed to protect his store until a glass installer can find time to fix the damages.
“I expect the glass itself will cost about $6,000,” Ali said. “It is a large piece of glass and I had to put down $1,000 up front for my insurance.”
He said he will be losing money for the next few days during this busy shopping season until the glass is fixed.
“This is the second time this has happened,” he complained. “I don’t know what is going on here in this community with all the crime.”
The store has been operating in New Toronto for many years and has customers from across the GTA.
Ali is calling for security cameras to be installed in busy areas so police can see what happens and obtain descriptions of the thieves.
Tech Zone sells or repairs a variety of cell phone, computer accessories as headphones, phone cases, Bluetooth speakers and other high-tech gadgets.
The store has been there for a number of years and is well-known since they regularly receive customers from Markham, Vaughan, Brampton, Mississauga, Hamilton and surrounding areas.
Chris Korwin-Kuczynski, Chair of the Lakeshore Village BIA, said such brazen smash-and-grabs are rare and he will be asking police for more patrols of the neighbourhood.
“I will be talking to the police superintendent,” he said. “We would like to have something done about all these crimes.”
Korwin-Kuczynski said the spraying of graffiti on the walls and surfaces of community businesses is one of the major concerns in the community.