Four arrested, one wanted for series of bank robberies in Ontario

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Ontario Provincial Police have announced the arrest of four suspects and are looking for one more as part of a multi-jurisdictional investigation into bank robberies across the province in which more than $2 million was stolen.

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None of the money was recovered, police said.

Three of the suspects were arrested in June in Field, east of Sudbury.

The investigation, dubbed Project Opal, ran from December 8, 2022 to March 16, 2024, when eight bank robberies occurred in areas policed ​​by the OPP, Barrie Police, Belleville Police, Durham Regional Police, Regional Police of Niagara and York Regional Police. .

While each police agency investigated its own incidents, the OPP began coordinating the investigation in August 2023 to identify and locate the suspects.

According to the OPP, detectives found similar characteristics during the robberies, which pointed to one group of suspects.

The robberies involved two or three people at the banks just before closing, and the suspects wore different masks and clothing in each business.

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Police said at least one gun was displayed in each robbery, but no injuries were reported. Bank employees were tied up in the last six robberies.

OPP Det. Insp. Brian McDermott said three suspects were arrested during an attempted robbery in Field on June 21, after investigators determined a robbery was about to occur and made sure the bank residents were safe before making the arrests.

“The similarities between these robberies were clear, with each robbery involving two to three individuals entering the bank before closing time,” he said. “The occupants were controlled using firearms.”

McDermott said the robberies terrified people inside the targeted banks.

“Disguises were used to hide the faces of the suspects and gloves were worn to avoid fingerprints,” he said. “In most cases, the occupants were restrained…

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“The charges in this investigation speak to the seriousness of the robberies and the circumstances surrounding them.”

Police said a fourth suspect was arrested in Vaughan on September 25. A fifth suspect has been charged and is still wanted.

Police arrested and charged Devonte Clark, 29, of Whitby, Keino Heath, 25, of Oshawa, David Newman, 24, of Ajax, and Roderick Newman, 32, of Coburg. Akeem Williams, 32, of Ajax is still wanted.

The five suspects face 53 bank robberies and firearms offences.

“Project Opal required extensive coordination between multiple law enforcement agencies to identify and arrest the suspects before they could target another bank,” said OPP Deputy Commissioner Marty Kearns.

“Through their tireless work, they were able to ensure that no other victim had to endure the fear and trauma of such an ordeal. I extend my gratitude to our Project Opal members for their exceptional work and continued commitment to public safety.”

Police are asking anyone with information to contact local police, the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

– with files from Canadian Press

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X: @SudburyStar

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