Robbery charges ‘out of character’: girlfriend

The girlfriend of a suspect arrested on several charges including robbery and pointing a firearm said this alleged behaviour is “out of character” for him.

Police say they seized a loaded rifle following a two-week investigation and a tip off from the community leading to the March 7 arrest of 27-year-old Kamil Stoj on Crawford Avenue.

Stoj’s girlfriend Jessie Rae said via Facebook Messenger, “He’s an amazing man with a big heart. Big enough to love my three boys like his own. He’s adores his daughter as well. He’s always been a hard worker too.”

The Windsor Police Service was dispatched on Feb. 25, at 10:45 a.m., after a robbery took place at a convenience store on Kildare Road. The masked assailant pointed what appeared to be a firearm and made off with an undisclosed amount of money.

A blurry photo of the masked robber was obtained from the store’s security camera and released to the public. The major crime branch took over the investigation.

“From that, investigators soon started receiving informative tips that led to the identification of the suspect male,” said Sgt. Steve Betteridge.

On Wednesday, Stoj was spotted driving in a car on Crawford Avenue alongside driver, 22-year-old Adam Florczuk, who is facing numerous firearms charges.

Both were taken into custody without incident. Police say a loaded rifle was found in the vehicle and seized.

“Following the arrest, investigators were granted judicial permission to search a residence that was believed to be connected to the robbery. During that search officers confiscated clothing and a black pellet hand-gun believed to have been used in the robbery,” said Betteridge.

Rae said everyone who knows Stoj is shocked and heartbroken by the charges.

“It’s not nearly as black and white as the media release make it sound you know?” said Rae. “A few of my neighbour’s were crying when they got confirmation that the SWAT team was indeed here for Kamil. It was horrible.”