Months-long investigation into jewellery store heists leads to 2 arrests, dozens of charges

Ottawa police say they’ve arrested and charged two people responsible for several jewellery store thefts and armed robberies in the city. 

Police say the incidents span from December to early April in the following areas:

• December 29th, 2023, theft, 100 block of Place D’Orleans Drive
• January 2nd, 2024, theft, 8000 block of Campeau Drive
• January 5th, armed robbery, 8000 block of Campeau Drive
• February 22nd, armed robbery, 100 block of Place D’Orleans Drive
• February 24th, armed robbery, 8000 block of Campeau Drive
• April 6th, armed robbery, 2100 block of Carling Avenue
• April 8th, armed robbery, 100 block of Place D’Orleans Drive

Ottawa Police Services (OPS) say that on April 12, officers executed warrants at two homes. Police arrested Haider Iqbal, 23, and charged him with:

• Two counts of theft over $5,000
• Two counts of have face masked/disguised
• Two counts of attempted robbery
• Four counts of possessing weapons dangerous to the public
• Four counts of mischief over $5,000
• Four counts of conspiracy to commit an indictable offence
• Three counts of robbery

Police also arrested a 16-year-old, who cannot be named per the Youth Criminal Justice Act and charged them for the armed robberies in April.

Both were remanded into custody. Police have not released a court date.