2 charged after Hamilton robberies where machete was used; 3rd suspect may be in Mississauga or Brampton

The police in Hamilton have arrested and charged a man and a woman in connection with two recent robberies. An arrest warrant is also out for a third suspect, 25-year-old Tanika Karen Galloway, who is believed to be in either Peel Region (Mississauga and Brampton) or Toronto.

The robberies occurred on successive Saturdays in February, with the male suspect brandishing a machete each time. In the second and most recent attack, he used the weapon and two workers sustained what Hamilton Police (HPS) described as “serious life-altering injuries.”

That robbery occurred at about 10:30 p.m. on Feb. 18. Two suspects entered a commercial business in the Hess St. / King St. W. area of downtown Hamilton.

“(The suspects) demanded cigarettes along with money,” HPS says. “During the robbery, two staff members were assaulted with a machete and conducted electrical weapon (CEW). The suspects fled the area in a dark coloured sedan.”

Seven days prior, shortly after 9 p.m. on Feb. 11, workers at a business in the South Service Rd. / Fifty Rd. area were attempting to close up for the night. The same two suspects entered and demanded money.

“The male suspect brandished a machete and the suspects fled on foot with an undisclosed amount of money,” HPS says. “There were no physical injuries sustained during this robbery.”

Last Saturday (Feb. 25), HPS officers, with assistance from a Niagara police emergency task unit, carried out a search warrant and arrested two suspects involved in the robberies.

Brandon Andres Omardeen, a 33-year-old man of no fixed address, had his bail opposed. He was wanted on a Canada-wide parole warrant. Omardeen faces 10 criminal counts:

• Robbery(four counts)
• Aggravated assault (two counts)
• Assault with a weapon
• Obstructing police
• Wearing a disguise with intent to commit a crime (two counts)

Monifa Chimmere Clarke, a 39-year-old Niagara Falls, Ont., resident, faces two counts of robbery. They were released on an undertaking.

Anyone who has information that could assist police with this criminal investigation should contact HPS Det.-Const. Boris Iveljic at (905-540-6327), Det.-Const. Mike Suffoletta (905-546-8936) , or Det.-Sgt. Shane Groombridge (905-546-2991) .

Information may also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers (1-800-222-8477; crimestoppershamilton.com).

(Cover image: Hamilton Police.)