Indian-origin Mississauga Man Arrested for Robbing Three Retail Stores at Knifepoint

Toronto Police has arrested an Indian-origin Mississauga man for allegedly robbing three retail stores between January 25 and January 29. The incidents took place in the area of Finch Avenue West and Keele Street. The 30-year-old man has been identified as Manbir Bobby Uppal.

Between January 25 and 29, three retail stores in the area of Finch Avenue West and Keele Street were allegedly robbed at knifepoint. During one of the robberies, an employee working at one of the retail stores was tabbed in the hand. In each case, Manbir Bobby Uppal would enter the store and approach the checkout counter, and demand cash with his knife drawn. He was able to get a “quantity of money” from two of the stores.

In the latest incident on January 29, Uppal allegedly stabbed an employee before fleeing the scene. The employee sustained minor injuries. The police responded to the incident and took the suspect into custody. He was then identified as Manbir Bobby Uppal from Mississauga and was charged with three counts of robbery with an offensive weapon, three counts of failure to comply with a probation order, and one count of assault with a weapon. The police said in a statement, “In two of the incidents, he obtained a quantity of money and made good his escape. In the last incident, he stabbed an employee in the hand with the knife causing minor injuries before fleeing the store on foot.”

Uppal was scheduled to appear at the Toronto North Court today for his bail hearing.

Cases of violence and theft have been on the rise in GTA. Recently, three teenagers from Mississauga and Brampton were arrested for attempted armed carjacking. One of the three took out a gun and demanded the victim’s keys. Unable to obtain the keys, the three fled the scene with some cash and lottery tickets. They were later arrested and have been charged with robbery with a firearm, conspiracy to commit an indictable offense, and disguise with intent.

Vineet Washington