London police say a man faces charges after allegedly tying up employees of a cell phone store and robbing it.
According to police, a man wearing a mask went into the store at a south end mall and told the employees to go a back room. Once there, he told them to give him store property, which was taken out of a safe and put in the man's duffel bag.
"One of the victims was tied up, however was able to escape while the suspect was attempting to tie up the second victim. Police were contacted and responded to the store," police said. "While fleeing from the store with the stolen property, the suspect advised the employees that he was in possession of a firearm."
Officers chased the man as he ran from the mall. When he was stopped on a nearby street, he allegedly resisted arrest.
Police say the stolen property was recovered and no injuries were reported.
A 27-year-old London man is charged with armed robbery, resisting arrest, wearing a disguise with intent to commit a crime, and two counts of forcible confinement.
As a result of this investigation, police have connected the same man with a similar incident that occurred in August 2023.
At about 5:30 p.m. on August 31, police responded to the reports of a robbery at a business in the south end of the city.
Police said video surveillance footage showed the suspect being let into the store by employees. He then tied up the employees, demanded cell phones and cash, and fled the store on foot.
In addition to the charges laid earlier in the day, the man faces another count of robbery and three more counts of forcible confinement.
Anyone with information in relation to this incident is asked to call the London Police Service at (519) 661-5670 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Information can also be sent in online anonymously to London Middlesex Crime Stoppers.
