A couple described as having the aura of “Bonnie and Clyde” is now in custody following a series of high-value jewelry thefts across Quebec. The pair is accused of stealing tens of thousands of dollars from a jewelry store in Terrebonne, a crime that appears to be part of a wider spree targeting luxury establishments on the South Shore of Montreal.
The investigation culminated on Tuesday of last week with the synchronized arrest of Steven Girard-Roy, 32, and his partner, Patricja Zarzecki, 29. Although Girard-Roy was apprehended at their apartment in Saint-Constant, Zarzecki was intercepted by police while driving a Mercedes on Highway 730, near the junction with Highway 30.
The arrests bring a temporary halt to a pattern of thefts that police believe spanned several weeks. Investigators from Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu police had reportedly already planned a search of the couple’s condominium on the very day the Terrebonne robbery took place, suggesting the pair was already under intense surveillance for previous crimes.
Chaos at Bijouterie Doucet
The most recent incident occurred on March 30 at Bijouterie Doucet, located within the Galeries Terrebonne. According to witness accounts, Girard-Roy entered the store wearing a gray tracksuit and a turtleneck sweater pulled up to partially conceal his face. The encounter quickly escalated when the suspect attempted to vault over the service counter.
The store’s owner fought back, physically pushing the man to prevent him from entering the secure area. Still, Girard-Roy eventually managed to obtain behind the counter, where he demanded the keys to the jewelry display cases. During the struggle, he reportedly grabbed the owner’s arm to coerce her.
Mylène Picard, 42, who was present during the robbery alongside the assistant manager, described a chaotic scene where the staff refused to be intimidated.
“I told myself he was unlucky, he picked the two craziest ones!”
Picard recalled. To protect her employer, Picard jumped on the suspect’s back to divert his attention, stating, “It’s not true that he’s going to touch my boss!”
Despite the physical resistance, Picard noted the suspect’s strength, stating that she tried to push him but he did not budge. In a final attempt to distract the thief and signal for help, Picard threw the keys as far as she could, taunting the man to go retrieve them.
The diversion was only partially successful. Girard-Roy managed to rip a wall-mounted display case from the wall, seizing a collection of chains, bracelets, and pendants. He then fled the scene in a vehicle driven by Zarzecki.
A History of Criminality
The legal profile of the two suspects reveals a stark contrast in their histories with the justice system. Steven Girard-Roy is a recidivist with an extensive criminal record. His prior offenses include assault, criminal harassment, theft, sexual assault, and aggravated assault against a peace officer, as well as mischief.
In relation to the current jewelry thefts, Girard-Roy faces serious charges, including armed robbery (vol qualifié), assault, and theft exceeding $5,000. He remains in custody as the legal process unfolds.
In contrast, Patricja Zarzecki appears to be a first-time offender. She has signed a promise to appear and is expected to be formally charged in June with possession of property obtained by crime. Her role in the spree appears to have been primarily as the getaway driver, utilizing a luxury Mercedes to facilitate the escapes.
Legal Proceedings and Next Steps
Given that the couple is suspected of multiple jewelry thefts across different jurisdictions on the South Shore, authorities are working to centralize the various case files. This consolidation is intended to streamline the judicial process and allow the court to address the full scope of the crime spree in a single proceeding.
| Date | Event | Legal Status |
|---|---|---|
| March 30 | Robbery at Bijouterie Doucet (Terrebonne) | Active Investigation |
| March 31 | Arrest of Girard-Roy and Zarzecki | In Custody / Released on Promise |
| April | Case centralization process | Administrative Phase |
| June | Formal charges for Zarzecki | Scheduled Hearing |
The investigation remains open as police continue to determine if other jewelry stores were targeted by the pair. The recovery of the stolen goods, valued in the tens of thousands of dollars, is a primary focus for investigators.
The next confirmed legal checkpoint will occur in June, when Zarzecki is scheduled to face formal accusations regarding the possession of stolen goods. Further updates on Girard-Roy’s detention and potential bail hearings are expected as the cases are merged.
Do you have information regarding these thefts or similar incidents on the South Shore? We invite you to share your thoughts or tips in the comments below.
