Police say 18 suspects, including a 14-year-old and two 17-year-olds, were arrested following investigations into a rising number of home invasions, armed robberies, and carjackings in the Peel Region and throughout the Toronto area.
The arrests are the result of “Project Warlock,” an ongoing investigation by Peel authorities focused on an organized crime network based in Brampton and Mississauga that police have identified and linked to cases of home invasions, armed robberies, and vehicle thefts in the region.
The operation laid 150 charges, retrieved 12 stolen vehicles valued at over $1.2 million, and seized four prohibited firearms, according to a July 23 press release from Peel Regional police.
“Violence like this terrifies and shatters the sense of safety of residents and their families,” said Chief Nishan Duraiappah.
“Everyone deserves to be safe in their homes, cars and at work. Our community is not a place for this type of criminality and Peel Regional Police will do everything to seize illegal firearms, arrest those who are terrorizing residents and deter criminality.”
So far in 2024, the Peel Region has seen 87 carjackings and 54 home invasions, police said, representing a 58 percent increase in carjackings and a 350 percent rise in home invasions year over year.
In many home invasion cases, individuals have woken up to guns pointed at them, even with children at home, Chief Duraiappah said at a press conference Tuesday. “It has forever changed the lives of some of these families and the children,” he added.
One home invasion incident resulted in a victim being shot in the lower body and requiring medical attention, said officials in the statement.
The police reported eight robbery cases in Brampton, Ont., from November 2023 to January 2024, two of which were home invasions involving firearms.
A single weekend in March 2024 saw five carjackings involving luxury vehicles in both Peel and York regions, according to police estimates.
The investigation’s results announced on Tuesday also included the recovery of more than $55,000 worth of stolen property, and the execution of over 60 search warrants.
Project Warlock is supported by enforcement entities such as Ontario Provincial Police, the Provincial Carjacking Joint Task Force, York Regional Police, Waterloo Regional Police, Barrie Police, and ServiceOntario.
The project was created after authorities linked cases of home invasions, robberies and carjackings through extensive video canvasses, physical evidence and forensics.
“We will not tolerate these incidents,” said Mr. Duraiappah. “We will follow up, pursue, investigate, and arrest those that are involved and charge them.”
