York Regional Police have arrested a suspect after a gunpoint robbery last month at a currency exchange in Richmond Hill in which an employee was assaulted.
On March 15 at around 11 a.m., three suspects, armed with at least one firearm, entered the business near Yonge Street and Major Mackenzie Drive and demanded cash, police said in a release.
The suspects assaulted the victim before fleeing with merchandise from the business, police said.
The victim was transported to hospital where he was treated and released.
On April 17, investigators, with the assistance of the York Regional Police emergency response and canine unit, executed a search warrant at a residence in Ajax, taking a man into custody.
Police say they located a quantity of suspected cocaine and fentanyl, as well as ammunition and an extended magazine for a firearm.
Jesiah Byer-Coates, 21, of Ajax is charged with:
- Robbery with a firearm
- Possession of property obtained by crime
- Possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking
- Possession of fentanyl for the Purpose of trafficking
- Fail to comply with undertaking.
None of the allegations have been tested in court and Byer-Coates is considered innocent unless proven guilty.
Police said two suspects remain outstanding and are described as male, Black, approximately 30 years old, average build, between 5 feet 7 inches and 6 feet tall.
All were described as wearing hooded sweaters, dark-coloured pants and face masks.
Investigators are asking anyone who may have seen something suspicious in the area, or anyone who may have dashcam or video surveillance footage at the time of the incident, or who has information about the suspects, to come forward.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the York Regional Police Hold-Up Unit at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 6630, or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS, or leave an anonymous tip online at www.1800222tips.com.
