Saliem Talash, 26, of Toronto arrested after violent jewelry store armed robberies

September 1, 2023

The Toronto Police Service is making the public aware of a robbery investigation.

On Monday, August 21, 2023, police responded to a robbery call in the Wilson Avenue and Dufferin Street area.

It is alleged that:

a man dressed in construction clothing attended a jewellery store acting as though he was there to do work
he grabbed an employee and tried unsuccessfully to bind their hands with zip-ties
he produced a hammer and began to smash the glass display cases and removing the jewellery
he then produced a knife and threatened the employees
after a brief struggle, he dropped his toolbox, backpack and knife before fleeing the area empty-handed

On Thursday, August 31, 2023, police responded to a person with a gun call in the Yonge Street and Empress Avenue area.

It is alleged that:

a man attended a jewellery store for a pre-arranged meeting to make a large purchase of merchandise
he spent some time discussing the transaction with the employees and then requested to see a watch he was trying to purchase
the employee handed him the watch and he immediately fled the store
the employees ran after the man and a violent struggle ensued when they caught up with him
the man produced a handgun and threatened the employees
Security officers working in the mall quickly arrived and took the man into custody

It is further alleged that:

at the time of the arrest, officers recovered the stolen watch and a replica handgun

Saliem Talash, 26, of Toronto, was charged with:

He will appear in court on Friday, September 1, 2023, at 10:00 a.m., at the Toronto Regional Bail Centre, 2201 Finch Avenue West, Room 105.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-7350, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at www.222tips.com.