City police say they have captured the suspect wanted in connection to a series of armed robberies around Barrie in the last several months.
Since mid-January, investigators had responded to five convenience store robberies where a lone male suspect armed with a weapon would enter the store, issue demands and then flee on foot once the money and cigarettes were obtained.
In each occurrence, the suspect was described as a black male with a slim-to-medium muscular build, wearing a camouflage-style hooded sweatshirt or jacket, with "stylish running shoes" and always had a balaclava or mask covering his face.
Shortly after 9 p.m., Saturday, Barrie police responded to another similar type of robbery at the Hasty Mart Convenience Store located at 307 Cundles Rd. E., near the intersection of Livingstone Street East, where a male suspect was arrested in the immediate area.
Due to the similarities with ongoing investigations, Barrie police detectives believe the man is responsible for five previous robberies that occurred on the following dates and locations in the city:
* Jan. 20, 2019 – JK Convenience, located at 41 Owen St.
* Jan. 26, 2019 – Circle K Convenience, located at 280 Dunlop St. W.
* Feb. 15, 2019 – Neighbourhood Variety, located at 230 Innisfil St.
* April 15, 2019 – Cedar Pointe Convenience, located at 4 Cedar Pointe Dr.
* June 14, 2019 – Circle K Convenience, located at 149 St. Vincent St.
A 28-year-old Barrie man, whose name was not released, faces dozens of charges following the investigation, which included executing a search warrant at a home in the northeast area of the city.
The suspect has been charged with six counts each of robbery with a firearm, using a firearm during an offence, possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose, disguise with intent, and possession of a firearm while prohibited. He also faces one count of resisting a peace officer during the arrest.
Barrie police say they are pleased to have someone in custody.
"It does take time to work through the clues that we have when the occurrences happen," Barrie police communications co-ordinator Peter Leon told BarrieToday this morning. "It's important for the public to realize there's a lot of behind-the-scenes work that has to take place and that leads up to the point at which you're making the arrest.
"We were fortunate that the last occurrence resulted in an individual being arrested at the scene and being held in custody while we dotted the i's and crossed the t's to make the connection to the other occurrences, as well," he added.
Leon also said the arrest should provide some relief to the victims involved.
"It's a great day for the city, it's a great day for the community and, most importantly, it's important for those individuals who were victims of these crimes to realize the person who is responsible now is in custody and being held accountable for those actions," he said.
None of the allegations have been proven in court.
The accused has been remanded in custody pending a future court date.
