Five Arrested After Bear Spray Robbery at Oshawa Centre Jewellers

Before you spend a single dollar on a diamond at a mall jeweler, consider what unfolded inside Bellagio Jewellers II last Sunday afternoon. At approximately 3:45 p.m. on March 29, four masked males entered the jewelry store at Oshawa Centre, 419 King Street West, armed with hard-edged tools and at least one canister of bear spray. They smashed the display cases, deployed the spray inside the store, and fled toward a waiting getaway vehicle while shoppers scrambled in the chaos.

Five alleged suspects are now in custody. Durham Regional Police Service arrested two inside the mall itself, where video circulating on social media shows bystanders restraining suspects and one shopper placing a man in a chokehold before security arrived to apply handcuffs. The remaining three fled in a waiting vehicle until a minor collision at Stevenson Road North and King Street West ended their escape; they abandoned the car and attempted to run on foot before the DRPS K-9 Unit tracked them down.

The five suspects range in age from 15 to 40. Romario Abraham, 18, of Mississauga faces robbery, conspiracy, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, and leave scene of accident charges. Coulton Peters-McComb, 22, of Barrie was charged with robbery, possession of a prohibited weapon, disguise with intent, and four counts of possession of a Schedule I substance, among other offences. Ryan MacPhail, 40, of no fixed address faces robbery and conspiracy charges along with two counts of failing to comply with probation; MacPhail was already subject to weapons prohibition conditions at the time of his arrest. Two youths, a 15-year-old from Mississauga and a 17-year-old from Brampton, face robbery and related charges; the 15-year-old carries the additional charge of administering a noxious substance, consistent with the bear spray deployment. All five were held for a bail hearing.

Durham Regional Police Const. Nicholas Gluckstein confirmed that "two of them were apprehended by mall security officials as well as some civilians," but police were unambiguous in their broader message: "DRPS will never advise anyone to put themselves in potentially dangerous situations or harm's way." The mall remained open after Oshawa Fire attended to ventilate the affected area. One jewelry store employee was treated on scene for bear spray exposure; several bystanders also reported minor irritation.

Sunday's robbery was not an isolated incident. Oshawa Centre has been targeted repeatedly in recent months; in January 2026, Oshawa Jewellery at the same 419 King Street West address was hit in a similar smash-and-grab, resulting in the arrest of a 13-year-old from Hamilton.

For anyone who owns fine jewelry or is actively shopping for it, the events at Bellagio Jewellers II underscore a few non-negotiable steps. Keep your pieces insured under a standalone personal articles floater or rider rather than relying on a standard homeowner's policy, which rarely reflects true replacement value for significant diamonds. Ensure your insurer holds current appraisals and high-resolution photographs of every meaningful piece; diamonds are nearly impossible to replace without documentation. When shopping or collecting a piece at a retail location, look for stores with locked, key-access cases and staff who offer appointment-only viewings for high-value items.

If you ever find yourself inside a store when bear spray is deployed, move upwind and toward an exit immediately, keep your hands away from your face, and seek fresh air before attempting to assist others. Professional ventilation is required before a contaminated space is safe to reoccupy, as Oshawa Fire's Sunday response confirmed.

Durham Regional Police continue to review surveillance footage and witness statements.