Currency exchange robbery results in charges for Ajax man

The robbery of a currency exchange in Richmond Hill has resulted in criminal charges for an Ajax man.

Three men entered an exchange near Yonge Street and Major Mackenzie Drive around 11 a.m. on March 15, York police say. The area is home to three currency exchanges; Arash Exchange, Million Exchange and York Exchange. However, police did not specify which was hit.

The trio was armed with at least one gun, police allege, and assaulted a victim in the business. All three then took off with merchandise. The victim needed medical treatment in hospital but has since been released.

Nearly a month later, on April 17, York officers raided a home in Ajax with a canine unit. They claim to have found fentanyl, cocaine, ammunition and an extended magazine in the home.

Jesiah Byer-Coates, 21 of Ajax, was arrested in the home. He’s charged with robbery with a firearm, possession of stolen property, two counts of drug possession with intent to traffic, and failure to comply with release conditions.

Police describe the two suspects who remain at large as Black men around 30 years old with average builds. The men stand between five-foot-seven and six feet tall. Both wore hooded sweaters, dark-coloured pants and face masks.

“Investigators are asking anyone who may have seen something suspicious in the area, or anyone who may have dashcam or video surveillance footage at the time of the incident, or who has information about the suspects, to please come forward,” police said.

Anyone with information can call police at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 6630 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).