An investigation into 17 violent home invasions, armed robberies and carjackings in Peel Region and the GTA has led to 150 charges against 18 people — one as young as 14. Six of the accused were already on release orders and nine of the accused have already been released on bail. Project Warlock also recovered more than 12 stolen vehicles valued at $1.
2 million, $55,000 worth of stolen property, four prohibited firearms — one with obliterated serial number, and two imitation firearms after officers executed 60 search warrants. “In 2024, right here here in Peel Region, we have experienced 87 carjackings,” Peel Regional Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah told a press conference Tuesday in a Brampton neighbourhood that he said has seen three home invasions. “In addition to (the carjackings) we’ve had 54 home invasions.
That’s a 58% increase in carjackings and an astounding 350% increase in home invasions year over year. “These violent incidents, needless to say, have impact not just on the victims that are targeted but the entire community around them.” Between November 2023 and January 2024, Peel Region saw eight violent robbery incidents and three home invasions, two involving firearms, and during one of the home invasions a victim sustained a serious gunshot wound to the lower body.
To counter these initial incidents, Project Warlock was formed to investigate an identified criminal network operating in Brampton and Mississauga. Throughout the six-month investigation, another nine robberies that occurred were also linked to this network. Det.
Allan Dean, Project Warlock’s lead investigator, said the thieves targeted “jewelry, currency, designer clothing and luxury vehicles.” Added Deputy Chief Nick Milinovich: “Organized car theft is trending towards becoming more violent. To be clear, a small percentage of violent individuals is creating the majority of violent crime.
” Duraiappah said of the 18 individuals who have been charged, 15 were held for bail hearings and nine of those were released on conditions. He said prior to Project Warlock, six of the accused were on release orders. “The harm that is being caused by releasing these individuals versus the risk of keeping them in custody is the disconnect,” the chief said.
Brampton North MPP Graham McGregor joined the chorus of voices Tuesday expressing distress that several of those charged in Project Warlock were already out of on bail and he reinforced the need for federal bail reform. “This is a story that residents are sick and tired of hearing,” said McGregor. “Repeat and violent offenders who continue to walk our streets because of the continuing revolving door of our justice system.
Shame on our society that these individuals are allowed out on bail to do it again.” As for the young ages of some of those charged, including two 17-year-olds, Duraiappah wasn’t surprised. “Now it’s very common to see a wide range (of ages) and to see very young individuals,” he said.
“It is easy for those who are at a vulnerable point to see opportunities to make cash quickly or to be involved. It is a concern. I can say probably in the last decade we’ve never seen to this extent the sheer volume of young people being involved in criminal activity to the extent that we’re seeing now.
” The chief admitted Project Warlock wouldn’t end the violent crime happening in Peel but said the efforts do let criminals know authorities are serious about stopping crime. “Do we expect that everybody’s going to stop because of one project? Absolutely not,” he said. “We’re still seeing almost 16 to 18 vehicles stolen a day here in Peel, which is just shy of one an hour and many of them are violent.
The dent is significant for us but I can tell you that probably today we’re going to experience another violent theft of autos in the form of a robbery.” [email protected].
