Police are investigating after two restaurants in Whitby and Pickering were robbed at knifepoint, with employees threatened and cash stolen during the incidents.
According to Durham Regional Police, the Whitby and Pickering restaurant robberies occurred within a few days of each other last week, raising concerns that the same suspect may be involved. In both incidents, a man reportedly entered the restaurants, threatened employees with a knife, and demanded money before fleeing the scene.
The first incident occurred in Whitby on Sunday evening, shortly after 7:00 p.m., at the Little Caesars restaurant located on Dundas Street. Police say a man entered the business and approached staff members before producing a knife and demanding cash from the register.
Employees complied with the suspect’s demands, and the individual left the restaurant with cash before officers arrived at the scene. The suspect fled the area on foot and was gone before police were able to locate him.
Investigators say the suspect involved in the Whitby restaurant robbery was described as a Black male standing between 6 feet 2 inches and 6 feet 3 inches tall with a medium build. No additional clothing description has been released at this time.
Fortunately, no employees were physically injured during the robbery, although police say the incident was extremely frightening for staff working at the restaurant.
Just three days earlier, police had responded to a similar robbery in Pickering at the B Boyz restaurant located on Brock Road.
According to investigators, that incident occurred at approximately 10:40 p.m. when a suspect entered the restaurant and threatened an employee with a knife while demanding cash.
As in the Whitby incident, the employee complied and the suspect fled the area before officers arrived.
Police say the suspect in the Pickering restaurant robbery was described as a Black male with a medium build, though investigators have not confirmed whether the same individual is responsible for both crimes.
Officers from the Durham Regional Police Robbery Unit are continuing to investigate the incidents and are reviewing surveillance footage from both locations as part of their efforts to identify the suspect.
Authorities are asking anyone who may have been in the areas around the time of the robberies to come forward if they have information that could assist investigators.
Police are particularly interested in cell phone videos, dashcam recordings, or surveillance footage that may have captured the suspect before or after the robberies occurred.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Durham Regional Police Auto Robbery Crime Unit at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5355.
Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or by visiting their website online. Tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward if their information leads to an arrest.
Investigators say the Whitby and Pickering restaurant robberies investigation remains ongoing, and additional information may be released as police continue working to identify the suspect involved.
