A shocking jewelry store robbery unfolded on Saturday evening at Prestige Jewelry and Famous Jewellers, located in Montreal's Parc-Extension neighbourhood, where the shop owner, Gaganjeet Singh, bravely confronted multiple armed thieves as they executed their brazen theft. The incident, which took place around 6:30 p.m., saw the suspects crash their vehicle through the storefront before storming inside with weapons and tools, including sledgehammers, to shatter glass cases and make off with goods worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.
According to Singh, his survival instincts kicked in the moment he saw the robbers smashing their way through the entrance. "Yeah. Then I just try to hit them like they should go out. But the guys came in with a big hammer, rods, guns. It's hard for me to only handle one who is here," Singh explained, sharing the rush of adrenaline and fear he felt as he tried to fend off the attackers.
The shocking events were captured by surveillance footage, showing the moment the robbers backed their vehicle through the entrance, the chaos of employees and customers yelling, and Singh's desperate attempt to protect his store. During the robbery, the masked individuals filled bags with merchandise, all under the watchful eyes of horrified witnesses.
Singh sustained injuries to his upper body as he engaged with the robbers, but it was the aftermath of the robbery where the danger would not end. After the assailants fled, he discovered one of his staff members trapped beneath the counters where she had sought refuge during the assault. "So she is underneath the counters and after 15 minutes we pull her out from the counters and like she was, but thanks God guard like she would just sitting on the floor if she is standing, she was killed. I for sure. I know," Singh recounted, highlighting the life-threatening nature of the ordeal.
Montreal police responded swiftly after the store's alarm activated, but the robbers had already bolted from the scene by the time they arrived. Authorities have classified this robbery as particularly audacious, identifying the use of the vehicle to break and enter as deliberate and premeditated. Commanding officer Sabrina Gauthier commented, "It's still under the investigation now. Trying to figure out if it's stolen or not. But we cannot confirm. Like I said, the indication is just at the beginning for now." During the chaos, the robbers were seen escaping with up to $700,000 worth of gold and jewelry.
This incident marks not only the pain of immediate loss but also the emotional toll it inflicts on the tight-knit business community. Gaganjeet Singh's apprehension about safety, especially following the recent spike in robberies, is acute. Just days prior to this incident, Singh had urged police to increase patrols on de Liège Street, stating he was already feeling uneasy due to suspicious activity around the store. He noted, "We are just putting … every effort in this season, and this happens. It's very hard for us," illustrating the devastating impact this crime has had on his business during the peak holiday shopping season.
His father, Tejinder Singh, who was viewing the robbery through live footage triggered by a panic button from 600 kilometers away, expressed deep concern about their family's safety. "We came to this country because it's a good country, but right now we don't feel safe," he told CTV Network through a translator, emphasizing the broader urgency felt by many shop owners amid rising crime rates.
With police investigations underway and community alarm bells ringing, local authorities are stepping up efforts to increase visibility and improve safety around retail areas, particularly during the busy holiday period. Gauthier affirmed, "We will be adding more patrols around stores of all kinds during the holiday period." Although they noted a lack of significant statistics on the increase of jewelry store thefts, both police and community members are grappling with the fear and uncertainty these crimes produce.
While Gaganjeet Singh is focused on recovering from his injuries and ensuring the safety and well-being of his family and staff, he has also used this harrowing experience to call for more security measures. "We are not safe. We need some security," he stated emphatically, highlighting the growing need for increased protection as they navigate these troubled times. Despite the adversity they face, he remains hopeful for justice and the return of his stolen property, as well as commitments from police to patrol frequently amid the fears shared widely among Montreal’s business community.
