Researcher credits the ‘bravery’ of bank robbery victims for the success of Project Opal

Teamwork between different police forces and the courage of victims to come forward is what a Barrie police inspector credits for the success of Project Opal, an ongoing multi-jurisdictional investigation into armed bank robberies, including one last November in the north end of the city.

Insp. Peter Dewsnap, who was in charge of the investigation services during the investigation, explains BarrieToday he feels “relieved” that the suspects in the crimes have been identified and charged. He thanks the witnesses and victims of the robberies for their help in making this possible.

“What the victims had to endure is, I am sure, horrific. Victim support continues for these people. No one should have to go through what they went through with this,” he said.

“The strength and courage of these individuals to be able to assist with the investigation and provide information is something that should not be overlooked,” Dewsnap added. “Without them and their steadfast courage to provide and assist law enforcement, there would likely be no Project Opal.”

The joint investigation covered eight bank robberies that occurred between December 8, 2022 and March 16, 2024 in municipalities policed ​​by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), Barrie Police Service, Belleville Police Service, Durham Regional Police Service, Niagara Regional Police Service . Service and York Regional Police.

Although each police force investigated their respective incidents, in August 2023 the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) was brought in to coordinate the investigation into the suspects after police identified similar characteristics in the robberies, pointing to a single group of perpetrators.

The investigation included support from Gray Bruce OPP, the Center of Forensic Services and the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Center of Canada (FINTRAC).

Police said each robbery involved two or three individuals who entered the banks before they were closed, according to the release, which also noted that the suspects wore different masks and clothing each time.

The robbery in Barrie, Dewsnap said, occurred on Nov. 9, 2023, at the Ontario Education Credit Union on Alliance Boulevard, and was one of the last to occur before the suspects were arrested.

“This robbery was similar to seven other robberies that had occurred in the province. We became involved with the Project Opal investigation team, which led to sharing information about our specific incident here in Barrie and coordinating with the other agencies who had similar incidents,” he said, noting that the thieves got away in total made off with more than $2 million from all eight robberies.

That ultimately led to the arrest of three suspects during an attempted robbery on June 21 in Field, Ontario, about three and a half hours north of Barrie, by officers from the OPP Tactics and Rescue Unit and the Aviation Unit, with support from the major crime unit West Nipissing OPP and the CIB.

A fourth suspect was arrested three days later in Vaughan, while a fifth suspect, identified by police as Akeem Williams, remains at large.

Collaborating with other police departments can be a common occurrence, Dewsnap acknowledged, especially in situations where similar incidents have apparently occurred in other communities.

“Unfortunately, crime knows no geographic boundaries, so it is increasingly wise for us to collaborate with other police forces, share information and search for similar crimes… and work together to bring the suspects or perpetrators to justice,” he said.

The ability to share resources also goes a long way, Dewsnap added, noting that dozens of people from all police departments were involved in Project Opal.

While he couldn’t say how the connection between all eight robberies was made, Dewsnap said that given that bank robberies aren’t exactly a regular occurrence in most communities, it was something that stood out to investigators.

“Our investigators would look to see if anything similar is happening elsewhere, and then contact police forces to confirm or share information to see if they are indeed similar,” the inspector said. There are eight that looked very similar and all appear to have been committed by the same people.”

During all eight robberies, at least one gun was displayed, but no injuries were reported, according to police. In the last six robberies, bank employees were tied up by the suspects.

The suspects face a total of 53 charges, including forcible confinement, intentional disguise, robbery with violence, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, conspiracy to commit an indictable offense and robbery with a firearm, among several other offenses .

Charges have been filed against Devonte Clark, 29, of Whitby; Keino Heath, 25, of Oshawa; David Newman, 24, of Ajax; and Roderick Newman, 32, of Cobourg.

Clarke will appear in court in Vaughan on November 18. Heath, David Newman and Roderick Newman will all appear in court in Field on November 7.

Williams, 32, from Ajax, is still wanted by police. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked not to approach him and to contact police immediately.