Peel police announced 12 arrests, 136 charges in multiple home invasions

The Peel Regional Police on Tuesday announced a dozen arrests connected to 17 violent crimes that took place between May and December of 2024, and which resulted in the theft of almost $2 million in cars, jewellery, cash and more.

Deputy Chief Nick Milinovich began the press conference  by noting that the 17 home invasions and robberies affected some 60 victims, including nine children, many of whom suffered life-altering injuries and trauma. He said police had arrested 12 men in connection with the crimes, with a warrant out for a 13th. The operation, known as Project Night Train , led to 136 charges, including attempted murder, robbery, firearms-related charges, possession of property obtained by crime, and more.

Of the $2 million in stolen property, investigators have recovered items worth roughly $860,000, including a Mercedes G-Wagon, Lamborghini Urus, designer bags such as Louis Vuitton, high-end jewellery, clothing and cash. Police also seized a loaded firearm and ammunition.

“If you come to Peel to target our community you can expect that we will come to you and remove you from our community,” Milinovich said. “This type of activity doesn’t belong in Peel. It is entirely unacceptable.”

Police provided stark details of several of the crimes in question. In one, in the early morning hours of Oct. 15, 2024, three suspects forced their way into a home near Glen Erin Drive and Burnhamthorpe Road West in Mississauga. An altercation occurred and the victim was shot in the chest, after which the suspects fled in a stolen vehicle. The victim was taken to a trauma centre in life-threatening condition and later released with what the police described as life-altering injuries.

In another incident, just a week later, two suspects followed victims into a home near Mississauga Road and Queen Street West in Brampton. The suspects forced entry, demanded keys to a luxury vehicle and assaulted one victim, rendering them unconscious. The second suspect then reversed the vehicle over the victim, who was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries but is expected to recover.

Investigating officers said the arrested men formed a loose group of “multiple and interchangeable” offenders whose crimes comprised a mix of organized crime (cars sent overseas for profit) and crimes of opportunity, in which the loot was used to fund the criminals’ lifestyle or commit more offences.

“They take the proceeds from a crime and then rinse and repeat,” Milinovich said. “They really do take that money and then invest it back into their business, which is crime.”

Patrick Brown, Mayor of Brampton and a Peel Police Board member, said “the disturbing violence and level of organization behind these crimes is deeply troubling. No one should have to endure such trauma, especially in the sanctity of their own home.”

Brown was himself in the news last week when a man was arrested after allegedly threatening him. Police said they were notified of the threats in late June and provided Brown and his family with protection during the investigation.

Yesterday’s announcement was the second in a week by the Peel police, who on July 15 informed the public they had taken down an organized criminal network responsible for more than 15 violent home invasions involving high-end vehicle and jewellery thefts across the Greater Toronto Area, in an operation called Project Ghost .

In the most recent case, police named six of the arrested men, who resided in Brampton and Toronto. (One had no fixed address.) The other six, from Mississauga, Brampton and Shelburne, Ont., could not be named because they are still youths. The youngest was 15. An arrest warrant has also been issued for a 32-year-old Toronto man.

Seven of the accused were held for a bail hearing and remain in custody, while the others have since been released under various conditions.

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