A Toronto-area jewelry store owner took matters into his own hands when three masked thieves attempted a smash-and-grab robbery at his store. Jerry Sorani, owner of Jewellery Forever in Markham, used a broomstick to fend off the criminals and protect his business.
The incident, which occurred on October 3, was caught on the store’s surveillance cameras. The video shows three masked and hooded individuals entering the store, with one of them smashing a glass display case filled with jewelry. Sorani quickly reacted by grabbing a broomstick and striking one of the suspects multiple times, forcing all three to flee the store.
“I just got up and said, ‘No, it’s not going to happen here,'” Sorani told CBC News. He explained that he acted instinctively to stop the thieves and protect his merchandise. Despite police warnings against confronting criminals, Sorani believes his actions prevented the thieves from getting away with valuable items.
'Not going to happen': Markham jewelry store owner fights off robbers with broomstickhttps://t.co/nsPAEv6mvV pic.twitter.com/G69bENOJVt
— CTV Toronto (@CTVToronto) January 10, 2025
York Regional Police are still investigating the attempted robbery. No arrests have been made. Police have advised business owners not to intervene in robberies, emphasizing that personal safety should come first. “You never know what someone is capable of or willing to do,” said Const. James Dickson.
A Toronto jewelry store owner fought back against masked thieves with nothing but a broom! His wild confrontation has gone viral, highlighting the unexpected challenges retailers face. Curious about this brave showdown? Check the full story here: … https://t.co/KtCdFXBneY
— Spanglish Canada (@wearspanglish) January 9, 2025
The attempted robbery at Sorani’s store comes amid a troubling rise in smash-and-grab thefts targeting jewelry stores in the Greater Toronto Area. Reports show that jewelry store robberies in York Region have doubled from seven incidents in 2023 to 14 in 2024.
In response to the growing threat, Sorani has implemented tighter security measures. His store now remains locked at all times, even during business hours. “In 25 years, I’ve never had to lock my doors,” Sorani said. “It’s sad that it has come to this.”
Sorani’s bold defense of his store has gone viral online, with many praising his courage. Still, his actions highlight the growing concern over rising crime and the lengths some business owners feel they must go to protect their livelihoods.
