Eight Adults, 12 Youths Arrested For Carjackings, Armed robberies in Peel Region: Police

Multiple arrests have been made, and more than 100 charges have been filed as a result of an extensive armed robbery and carjacking investigation known as Project Sterling. This initiative was carried out by the Peel Regional Police Central Robbery Bureau (CRB).

During a press conference held on Tuesday, law enforcement officials revealed that they had successfully “disrupted and dismantled” an organized criminal group based in Brampton, responsible for numerous armed robberies and carjackings in the area as a result of Project Sterling.

Disrupt & dismantled organized crime group. #PRP concludes another successful robbery & carjacking investigation dubbed #ProjectSterling. Investigators laid a total of 103 charges, recovered stolen vehicles, firearms & other weapons. Fantastic results by our Central Robbery! pic.twitter.com/Io9OE8JgSa

— Peel Regional Police (@PeelPolice) November 7, 2023

The investigation was initiated in early 2023 in response to a surge in pharmacy robberies and carjackings in the region. According to the police, in 2022, there were 135 armed pharmacy robberies, a 400 percent increase from the previous year. In 2023, there was a 67 percent rise in carjackings in Peel.

Over the course of several months, the CRB conducted investigations and brought charges against individuals associated with this organized crime group. The police also identified at-risk youth who had been recruited to participate in these criminal activities.

A total of 20 individuals, comprising eight adults and 12 youths, have been apprehended, and 103 charges have been filed. Additionally, investigators confiscated multiple firearms and recovered six stolen vehicles with a total value exceeding $125,000.

https://t.co/lcPDAq53fv pic.twitter.com/INwAQAY8NA

— Peel Regional Police (@PeelPolice) November 7, 2023

Law enforcement officials informed the press that the organized group is widely recognized and has its base in Brampton but also has connections to other cities. The robberies carried out by this group were often characterized by violence, with members frequently armed during these criminal acts.

Deputy Chief Nick Milionvich stated, “The Project Sterling investigation has contributed to a decrease in pharmacy robberies and carjackings. It has also prevented more at-risk youth from being exploited in committing these crimes.”

Since the commencement of Project Sterling, carjackings have seen an 11 percent reduction, and pharmacy robberies have decreased by 62 percent compared to the previous year, according to the police. Additionally, the investigation has led to the resolution of 20 additional cases related to violent robberies.

The investigation also identified the group responsible for an armed carjacking in Brampton and a drive-by shooting of a student in Toronto, as confirmed by the police.

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