Store owner feeling 'much relief'
May 13, 2008 - 12:13
By Jennifer Stone
BOWMANVILLE -- Ron Hooper says he's feeling a great deal of "relief" that the man suspected of holding his daughter at knifepoint during a botched robbery attempt of his family's Bowmanville jewelry store has been apprehended.
Durham Regional Police were contacted by Belleville Police Service Monday. They had Gary Blazeiko, 32, of no fixed address, in custody, after arresting him on the Canada-wide warrant issued by police here.
"We had information that he was in that area," said Detective Jim Houston, of Durham Police.
He was returned to Durham Region for a bail hearing and is being held on charges of attempted robbery, aggravated assault, assault with a weapon, weapons dangerous and forcible confinement.
Now, other police departments are investigating Mr. Blazeiko in connection to other crimes.
"Three other police services around the province are looking at him," said Det. Houston, who would not say which departments were interested in Mr. Blazeiko.
The violent, bloody robbery took place late in the afternoon of March 28, when three men arrived at the downtown Bowmanville jewelry store, professing to be looking for an engagement ring for one of the men's girlfriends.
Within moments, knives had been drawn, and the jewelry store's goldsmith had received potentially career-ending injuries to her hand, when she was slashed by one of the robbers.
Other staffers, including Mr. Hooper's daughter, Carrie, were held at knifepoint during the robbery attempt. Mr. Hooper walked in on the scene and eventually wound up helping police chase down two suspects, who were arrested almost immediately.
Mr. Hooper's brother Dan was also in the store at the time and attempted to slow the robbers down by throwing display cases and other items at them.
"I'm feeling much relief," Ron Hooper said Tuesday, just after finding out about the final arrest. "There's a great deal of relief and satisfaction that it kind of puts an end to it. There's a lot of relief for everybody.
"The police did an excellent job."
Latest News
Dead Pickering bird ends West Nile seasonDURHAM -- A dead bird found in Pickering is the latest to test positive for West Nile virus (WNV).The crow was picked up on Sept. 2 and was the eighth bird in Durham in ...
Gas leak evacuates 10 Pickering homesPICKERING -- A gas leak on Sheppard Avenue in Pickering Thursday afternoon caused residents to evacuate their homes for more than five hours, a City official said.Everett ...
Relief for westbound commuters on Hwy. 401DURHAM REGION -- Two lanes of the westbound 401 collectors at the Don Valley Parkway have re-opened for the morning rush hour commute, however, the exit ramp to the DVP/404 on...
Top Prospects Game likely coming to OshawaOSHAWA -- It appears furious negotiations this week will see the 2009 CHL Top Prospects Game land in Oshawa. David Branch, commissioner of the Ontario Hockey League and ...
GM sales plummet in AugustDURHAM -- General Motors of Canada's sales plummeted in August, with tiny cars from other brands seeing big increases in sales. GM's car sales were down 19 per cent and truck ...
Repatriation ceremony on Saturday eveningDURHAM -- The latest repatriation ceremony is scheduled to come through Durham Region early Saturday evening. Three Canadian soldiers were killed and five others were injured ...
Mutton auditor charged by professional bodyCLARINGTON -- The accountant who conducted the audit into former Clarington Mayor John Mutton's expenses has been charged by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of ...
Teen beaten, robbed at house partyAJAX -- More than 20 charges have been laid against an Ajax teen after a violent robbery at a house party that saw a victim pistol-whipped. Officers seized drugs and guns, ...
Westbound 401 collectors at DVP remain closed for evening commuteDURHAM REGION -- Toronto-bound commuters will face delays on the westbound 401 at the DVP as the cleanup continues in the wake of a fiery early morning crash. A ...
Longtime Ajax teacher dies DURHAM -- After 19 years, Lester B. Pearson Public School has been forced to say goodbye to longtime teacher Larry Shortt. The Grade 6 teacher, who was 56, died Aug...