A second man wanted in connection with the armed robbery of a downtown Saskatoon jewelry store has been arrested nearly 16 months after the brazen, daytime heist.
Rida Niam, 25, was wanted on a Canada-wide warrant for charges of armed robbery, wearing a disguise during the commission of an offence, and conspiracy to commit arson following the Feb. 1, 2014 incident.
Police said four men entered Birks jewelry store on Third Avenue South brandishing crowbars. The four were wearing construction-style jackets and black balaclavas. They smashed display cases and stole a large quantity of jewelry, including Rolex watches.
A Dodge Caravan — used as the getaway vehicle in the robbery — was found burning near the University of Saskatchewan campus about 90 minutes after the suspects broke into the store.
A Canada-wide warrant was issued for one suspect, Muhidiin Ahmed-Farah, about a week after the robbery while warrants for Niam and one other man, Pierre Louis Hernandes, were issued in May 2014.
Ahmed-Farah was arrested in April 2014 in Montreal on charges of armed robbery, conspiracy to commit arson, and wearing a disguise during the robbery. He was returned to Saskatoon and has since been convicted and sentenced to four years in prison.
Niam was arrested by Montreal police and transported Tuesday to Saskatoon. He is also charged with armed robbery, conspiracy to commit arson, and wearing a disguise during the robbery.
He is set to appear in Saskatoon provincial court Wednesday.
Hernandes is still wanted by police. The fourth suspect has yet to be identified.
