Ottawa store owner and customers make citizen’s arrest

A Barrhaven store owner who was the victim of multiple thefts wasn’t going to let it happen again. Against the advice of the police, he intervened to prevent another theft from occurring in his store.

It happened at an eyeglass store called Eyes of Barrhaven on Strandherd Drive near Citigate Drive.

This happened in a matter of minutes during the day on Monday. The store owner says the suspects entered and began removing items from the shelves. That’s when he took action.

Surveillance video shows when four people entered the store, the situation quickly deteriorated.

“Two of them were masked. It looked like they weren’t interested in buying anything. They were just coming to pick up merchandise like they did the other five times. And we just got some enough,” Awni George said. , the owner of Eyes of Barrhaven.

George said he saw the thieves pocketing designer sunglasses and glasses from the shelves.

“I was pushed by the individual as he picked up the frames right in front of me and said, ‘There’s nothing you can do about it.’ And these are his words: ‘We’re going to come in here and we’re going to take what we want and get out.'”

Acting quickly, George stopped the robbery and made a citizen’s arrest.

Others in the store stepped in to help, restraining one suspect, while the three fled.

“Three of them ran out with a bunch of frames, and then one of the other men tried to escape and he didn’t have a chance to escape,” said Andrew Ratte, who assisted in making the citizen’s arrest. “And then luckily we had him on the ground and from there he started making malicious threats, talking about stabbing us with fentanyl.”

George says it appears to be the same group of people who have stolen from his store multiple times. He estimates he lost about $15,000 for all the incidents.

“It’s very damaging for a small business that we’re constantly in this state of fear, of alarm. And at the same time, financially, we’re burdened by these criminals who are constantly coming in and committing these crimes against us.” George declared.

Ottawa police were not available for an on-camera interview, but a spokesperson said in an email that police do not recommend anyone attempt a citizen’s arrest for the safety of victims and bystanders. On Friday, police said a 40-year-old man was arrested and charged with aggravated robbery and probation violation.