NEWS RELEASE
YORK REGIONAL POLICE
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Investigators with the York Regional Police Hold-Up Unit have laid numerous charges in connection with six convenience store and gas station robberies that occurred over the last three months across York Region.
The first incident occurred on Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2020, shortly before 8 p.m., at a convenience store located on the northeast corner of Keele Street and Major Mackenzie Drive West in the City of Vaughan. A suspect, armed with a handgun, entered the store and made a demand for cash. The employee complied and the suspect fled on foot.
On Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, at 12:44 a.m., a robbery occurred at a gas station located at 5739 Highway 7 East in the City of Markham. The suspect entered the gas station armed with a handgun and made a demand for cash. Two incidents occurred in December. The first one occurred on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020, at a convenience store on Headdon Gate in the City of Richmond Hill. The suspect entered the gas station armed with a handgun and made a demand for cash. The other was on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, at a gas station located in the area of Bloomington Road East and Highway 48 in the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville. Two suspects, one armed with a handgun, entered the store and made a demand for cash. The employee complied and the suspects fled.
On Thursday, Jan. 8, 2021, at approximately 8:20 p.m., a robbery occurred at a convenience store on Highway 7 East, west of Main Street North, in Markham. Officers learned that a suspect entered the store armed with a handgun and demanded cash. The suspect obtained a quantity of cash and fled from the scene. At approximately 9:35 p.m., the same suspect attended another convenience store located on Masseyfield Gate in Markham. The suspect obtained cash and cigarettes and fled from the scene.
Two suspects were identified through the investigation. The first suspect was arrested on Jan. 29, 2021, when he attended a convenience store on Hillcroft Drive in Markham. He was found in possession of a handgun and investigators believe he intended to commit an additional robbery. The second suspect, believed to be involved in the incident on Dec. 19, was located in the City of Toronto when officers attempted to stop his vehicle. He collided with a police vehicle and then fled the scene. A warrant was issued and he was arrested on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021.
CHARGED:
- Romario Watts, 24, of Newmarket
CHARGES:
- Robbery with a Firearm x7
- Disguise with Intent x7
- Possession of a Firearm without a License
- Possession of a Prohibited or Restricted Firearm with Ammunition
- Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm in a Motor Vehicle
- Unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited or Restricted Weapon
CHARGED:
- Lamar Bartley, 33, of Toronto
CHARGES:
- Robbery with a Firearm
- Disguise with Intent
- Dangerous Operation
- Flight from Police
- Failure to Stop after Accident
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, leave an anonymous tip online at www.1800222tips.com.
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