A spate of break-ins targeting businesses in Toronto’s west end has left shop owners reeling and police searching for two suspects. In the early hours of New Year’s Eve, a man and woman allegedly broke into six commercial establishments in the Queen Street West and Ossington Avenue area. Their modus operandi involved the man using a rock to shatter front doors, making a beeline for cash tills upon entry, while the woman acted as a lookout and concealed stolen goods in her backpack. This incident has highlighted a growing concern among business owners in the area, who are increasingly experiencing similar break-ins. Toronto police are urging anyone with information regarding the New Year’s Eve incidents to come forward.
The New Year’s Eve break-ins are not isolated incidents. Jonathan Larrad, owner of Spanish Pig on Roncesvalles Avenue, experienced a similar break-in just days before, despite having been warned by police about the escalating trend in the neighborhood. Larrad described the scene upon arriving at his store: the damaged entry, the ripped-out point-of-sale system, and the lingering sense of violation. The incident forced him to temporarily close his shop to replace the stolen equipment and repair the damage, further impacting his business. The incident has prompted Larrad to consider installing security gates, a measure he hadn’t previously deemed necessary in Toronto. He observes a shifting landscape of urban security, with increasing crime rates forcing business owners to adopt protective measures more commonly seen in cities with historically higher crime levels.
The break-ins have sent ripples of unease throughout the community. Castle & Coal, a baked goods shop at Dovercourt Road and Queen Street West, shared their experience of being targeted on New Year’s Eve morning. Although only their tip jar was stolen, they expressed feeling violated by the intrusion into their space, which they consider a sanctuary for the community. Similarly, Mabel’s Bakery on Roncesvalles Avenue reported a break-in around the same time. While nothing was stolen, the damaged door and shattered glass were a jarring start to the new year. These incidents underscore the psychological impact of such crimes, going beyond the monetary loss and disrupting the sense of security for both business owners and the community they serve.
Jennifer Hall, manager of Mabel’s Bakery, displayed the rock used to break their window, highlighting the brazen nature of these crimes. She emphasizes the disproportionate impact on small businesses, which often operate on tight margins and lack the resources to easily absorb such losses. She laments the targeting of businesses deeply embedded in the community, serving not just as commercial entities but also as integral parts of the neighborhood fabric. The break-ins represent a violation not only of their businesses but also of the community trust and connection they cultivate.
The string of break-ins reveals a troubling trend in the west end, suggesting a possible pattern of targeted attacks on vulnerable businesses. The suspects, a man and woman working in tandem, appear to be focusing on quick cash grabs, hitting multiple locations in a short timeframe. The targeting of cash tills indicates a potentially opportunistic approach, prioritizing easily accessible funds over other potentially valuable items. The repetition of smashed front doors and windows as the entry point underscores a disregard for property and the potential danger to occupants.
The incidents have compelled business owners to re-evaluate their security measures and consider implementing additional safeguards. The escalating crime rate, evidenced by these repeated break-ins, is prompting a shift in the urban landscape, where security measures once considered excessive are now becoming increasingly necessary. The sense of vulnerability experienced by these business owners underscores the need for increased vigilance and collaborative efforts between law enforcement and the community to address the rising crime rate and protect local businesses. The Toronto Police Service is actively investigating the break-ins and encourages anyone with information about the suspects to contact them or Crime Stoppers.
