A jewelry store in Ancaster experienced a break-in less than a year after a violent robbery. According to police, four individuals forcefully entered Ancaster Jewellers on Wilson St. W. early Monday morning, smashed several display cases, and stole items before fleeing in a grey Dodge Caravan. The store’s owner, Jean-Pierre Verbunt, mentioned that the suspects completed their theft in under five minutes. He expressed disappointment at the timing of the incident, as the holiday season is their busiest period. Verbunt stated that the store cannot reopen until the damaged door is replaced, causing significant inconvenience.
Despite the break-in, items left for repair or resizing by customers were not compromised. Customers will be able to retrieve their belongings once the store resumes operations. Earlier in 2024, Verbunt was a victim of a violent robbery at the same store, involving a pickup truck crashing through the front window and armed individuals entering. Verbunt and his son were physically assaulted during that incident.
Following the previous robbery, a fog machine security system was installed to deter future smash-and-grab incidents. The system fills the store with a non-toxic fog within seconds when triggered. However, this system is designed specifically for holdup scenarios and did not prevent the recent break-in. Repairing the storefront and restocking inventory may take up to a week, with challenges posed by inflation. Police are still evaluating the extent of stolen merchandise and have requested assistance from the public in providing any relevant dash cam or CCTV footage.