Jerry Sorani says he got here to Canada from Iraq as a refugee 30 years in the past for a greater life.
An increase in carjackings, robberies and residential invasions throughout the Higher Toronto Space, nevertheless, has left him nervous about the way forward for the nation he now calls dwelling.
He determined to share surveillance video of an tried smash-and-grab theft at his Markham jewellery story “Jewelry Without end” on Instagram two days in the past with the caption, “The one jeweller who fought again within the GTA”.
Sorani says he didn’t need the thieves to get away along with his valuables and within the second, determined to intervene.
Within the surveillance video, three folks in hoodies and masks stroll into his retailer at Markville Mall earlier than one begins smashing a glass show case stuffed with jewellery with a hammer. Sorani then comes out from behind the counter, swinging a broomstick and putting one of many suspects 4 occasions on his shoulder. All three suspects shortly go away the enterprise and flee.
The incident was recorded round 8 p.m. on Oct. 3.
The video has since gone viral. On Instagram, one particular person mentioned: “Dangerous of him to struggle again with a weak weapon! He was fortunate & courageous to do that!” One other wrote, “He might have been killed. A brush deal with vs a sledgehammer? Very courageous retailer proprietor.”
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Sorani says he was not terrified of the thieves however afraid he may need been charged with assault for combating again. “That’s why I didn’t attempt to harm them in any respect,” he mentioned.
He mentioned when police arrived, officers requested to see the video however he was not charged.
He additionally feels strongly that if he had not interfered with the theft, the violence would proceed.
“It’s not simply companies, vehicles, dwelling invasions and shortly it’s going to be even should you stroll on the road and also you’re carrying one thing just a bit bit flashy, they could cease you for it,” he explains.
Const. James Dickson from York Regional Police instructed International Information that the investigation into the tried theft continues and no arrests have been made.
Two months after Sorani’s retailer was focused, one other jewellery retailer in Markville Mall was focused in a smash-and-grab theft.
That incident occurred shortly after midday on Dec. 4, when police responded to a business theft at Lukfook Jewellers. Cellphone video captured a few dozen folks in hoodies and masks kicking within the entrance home windows and doorways of the enterprise, earlier than filling procuring luggage with valuables and working off.
Dickson mentioned in that case, about 10 persons are in custody. However police say it doesn’t look like linked to the theft at Sorani’s retailer two months earlier.
Dickson additionally really helpful that victims of robberies not intervene.
“Any incident the place theft happens, whether or not it’s a carjacking, dwelling invasion, monetary establishment or business theft, our recommendation is similar,” he mentioned.
“Prioritize your private security. That is a very powerful factor to do. You by no means know what somebody’s able to or what they’re prepared to do. Any bodily altercation can generally result in the escalation of violence.”
Final 12 months, 14 jewellery shops had been focused by thieves in York Area, up from seven in 2023. Police say they’re involved by the spike and say they’re working with safety corporations at procuring malls in an effort to discourage crime.
Sorani’s retailer is now completely locked, even when the shop is open.
“I’ve been doing this for the previous 25 years and by no means seen something like this,” he mentioned. “By no means have my door closed. It’s unhappy to see it like this.”
© 2025 International Information, a division of Corus Leisure Inc.
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