About 200 movie-goers were evacuated from the cinema complex at Highways 7 and 400 last night after an irritating substance was sprayed by two masked and hooded suspects.
Numerous movie patrons began coughing when the unknown substance was sprayed in the Vaughan theatre, which was showing an Indian Hindi-language film, at about 9:20 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 5, a York Regional Police news release stated.
Emergency services personnel attended and the theatre was evacuated, police said. Several patrons were treated for exposure to the substance, however, no serious injuries were reported.
Investigators learned that two men wearing masks and hoods had entered the theatre after the movie began and then walked around and sprayed an unknown, aerosol-based, irritating substance into the air. The suspects fled before police arrival.
One suspect is described as male, Black, light skin tone, 5 feet 10 inches, medium build, wearing a black medical mask, black sweater, black jacket with a white logo on the front right side, dark pants with a white stripe and a black toque with a white logo on the front.
The second suspect is described as male, brown, light skin tone, 5 feet 8 inches, medium build, wearing a black mask, black sweater with a red logo above white text on the front, dark pants, brown boots.
Investigators are aware of two similar incidents at movie theatres in Brampton and Toronto, and are liaising with police services there, police added.
The area has many commercial and entertainment businesses and is well-travelled by pedestrians and vehicular traffic, and police believe there were numerous witnesses present who may be able to assist with the investigation.
Witnesses who have yet to speak with investigators, or anyone with a video recording from the area around the time of the incident, are asked to contact police as soon as possible by calling 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7441, or anonymously at Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or online at www.1800222tips.com.
