Police investigating violent daytime robbery at Foodland in Caledon East

Written By KIRA WRONSKA DORWARD

The normally quiet and peaceful town of Caledon East was rocked to its core last Friday afternoon when a bash-n-grab robbery took place at the express isle at Foodland. 

At approximately 11 a.m., a Caucasian male suspect approximately 6'2”, between the ages of 20 and 30, and with a skinny build, attempted to steal cash from an open register while paying for a can of pop. 

Eye-witnesses report to the Citizen that the “bash” part of the botched robbery occurred when the store owner's eldest son, Matthew, opened the door to the security door behind the express cash at the same moment the suspect was attempting to take money from the open drawer. 

An altercation with two unnamed employees then took place, resulting in them being transported to hospital with minor injuries.

Store owner Kurt Geiser received six or seven stitches and a broken rib, while his son Matthew sustained seventeen stitches inside his mouth. 

Mother and wife Donni Geiser was left with a noticeable bruise and cut over her left eye. When asked for comment, Kurt Geiser referred the Citizen to Sobeys Corporate Headquarters, who referred all interested parties to the OPP.

Police were called immediately to the scene, but in the ensuing “kerfuffle” the suspect escaped on foot and was last spotted on westbound on Hilltop Drive. 

In a statement to the press, OPP spokesperson Iryna Nebegatova reported that the adjacent “Caledon East Public School was briefly placed on Hold and Secure as a precaution, but the hold has been lifted since.”

The suspect is described as “male, white, 6'2”, 20-30 years old, skinny build, blond hair worn in a man bun, unshaven, wearing a grey hoodie with a white hoot and white kangaroo pocket in the front, grey sweatpants, barefoot, dark sunglasses.” For fans of HBO's Breaking Bad, there is a striking resemblance to fictional meth cook and dealer Jessie Pinkman.

Police are urging the public not to approach the suspect if they encounter him, but to immediately call 911. The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is asked to contact the Caledon OPP Major Crime Unit at 905-584-2241 or toll free at 1-888-310-1122.

For those seeking to make anonymous tips, Peel Crime Stoppers can be contacted at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.peelcrimestoppers.ca. By contacting Crime Stoppers, you remain anonymous, do not have to testify, and could receive a cash reward of up to $2000 upon arrest.