Suspects face 53 criminal charges after more than $2M stolen in series of bank robberies: OPP
Five people face a total of 53 charges for their alleged involvement in eight bank robberies across Ontario where police say more than $2 million was stolen.
Ontario Provincial Police say the bank robberies occurred between December 2022 and March of this year, prompting the creation of Project Opal, a multi-jurisdictional investigation.
They say in each instance, two or three masked suspects would enter the bank prior to closing and a firearm was displayed, but no serious injuries were reported.
“In at least six robberies, bank employees were bound,” police noted.
In Barrie, police were called about an armed robbery at the Ontario Educational Credit Union on Alliance Boulevard in November last year.
When officers arrived, the suspects were gone, having fled in a newer model four-door Mercedes Benz. Barrie police said a large amount of Canadian currency had been stolen.
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Provincial police say other similar robberies were reported in York Region, Belleville, Durham Region, and the Niagara Region, all point to the same group of suspects.
In June, three suspects were arrested during an attempted robbery in Field, Ont. and a fourth suspect was apprehended last month in Vaughan.
A fifth suspect remains at large. Police say they believe he has left Ontario.
Ontario Provincial Police hold a news conference on Tues., Oct. 29, 2024, to discuss Project Opal, and identify a wanted man, Akeem Williams, who police believe has left Ontario. (CTV News/Christian D'Avino)
“Project Opal required extensive coordination across multiple police services to identify and apprehend the suspects before they could target another bank,” stated OPP Deputy Commissioner Marty Kearns.
None of the money has been recovered.
The charges include robbery with violence, forcible confinement, and several weapons-related offences.
The investigation is ongoing. Provincial police urge anyone with information to contact local authorities, the OPP or Crime Stoppers to remain anonymous.
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