West Road Convenience store owner Hiren Patel was shocked when a masked man entered the store on Thursday night, just before closing at approximately 8 p.m., wearing camouflage clothing and demanding money.
“I asked him to leave the store, and next thing I knew, I was trying to grab my phone so I could call 9-1-1 just in case,” said Patel. He said the man got increasingly aggressive and jumped on the counter. “Next thing I know, I was struggling to defend myself.”
A struggle ensued. The perpetrator fell on the floor, got up, and again tried to get on the counter where the cash register is located. “At that time, I didn’t give him a chance, I just hit him again, and by that time I got a few seconds, so I dialed 9-1-1 right away because I… my brain was frozen. I wasn’t even able to operate my phone properly,” recalled Patel.
When the perpetrator realized Patel had called 9-1-1, the perpetrator left the store. Patel said he was advised that the man had been caught by police shortly after he left the store.
“Nothing like this has ever happened before,” said Patel, who has owned the business since 2012.
Patel said the incident resulted in costs he will have to absorb, including the loss of all of the ice cream in one of the freezers.
“It is what it is… I have no words to describe this thing,” said Patel, who is still a bit in shock. He said he doesn’t wish such an experience on anyone, particularly someone who is just trying to make a living.
Huntsville officers responded to the incident and quickly located a male fitting Patel’s description. The investigation resulted in the male being arrested and charged.
Matthew BLACK, 26 years old of Huntsville, Ontario, has been charged with:
- Robbery with intent
- Mischief – destroys or damages property
- Fail to comply with probation order
The accused was being held for a bail hearing on March 31, 2026, at the Ontario Court of Justice in Bracebridge, Ontario.
The accused sustained minor injuries during the robbery and was provided medical attention for those injuries.
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Hmm. Hasn’t that name appeared a few times in our local crime news of late? When is enough enough? It really is too bad that our criminal justice system doesn’t deal more harshly with repeat offenders, rather than so often just releasing them right back into our communities.