Onlookers thwart jewellery heist at Upper James store

Trays of stolen jewellery have been returned to a Mountain store after a fleeing robber was thwarted by a handful of onlookers who jumped into action.

Justin Lepage, 24, was working at the Goodyear next door when he and a colleague noticed the robbery in progress at H. Williams Jewellery on Upper James around 4 p.m. Monday.

“He just got on his motorcycle, looked at us and tried to take off and that’s when I shoved my pry bar right into his back wheel,” he said. “He tried to go, but he wasn’t going anywhere.”

Two other witnesses came over and the four men tackled the thief to the ground and held him until police arrived, Lepage said.

Another Goodyear employee came over and started emptying out rings, jewellery and a wad of cash when what looked like a black handgun fell out of the suspect’s jacket.

That made his heart race a little, Lepage said, but added that it was worth it.

“I wouldn’t be able to let myself sleep at night knowing this guy got away,” he said.

Police have since confirmed the gun was a pellet gun.

The motorcycle he attempted to flee on was stolen, said break, enter, auto theft and robbery (BEAR) unit Detective Craig Knowles.