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

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No money was recovered, police said.

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

The investigation, dubbed Project Opal, took place from December 8, 2022 to March 16, 2024, as eight bank robberies took place in areas monitored by the Ontario Provincial Police, Barrie Police, Belleville Regional Police, Durham Regional Police, Niagara Regional Police and York Regional Police. .

While each police service investigated its own incidents, in August 2023, the Ontario Provincial Police began coordinating the investigation to identify and locate suspects.

According to the OPP, detectives found similar characteristics in the robberies, leading to the identification of a single group of suspects.

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

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Police said that during each robbery, at least one handgun was brandished, but there were no injuries. During the last six robberies, bank employees were tied up.

Ontario Provincial Police Detective. Insp. Brian McDermott said three suspects were arrested in an attempted robbery in Field on June 21 after investigators established a robbery would take place and ensured the bank occupants were safe before proceeding to arrests.

“The similarities between these robberies were obvious, each involved two to three individuals entering the banks before closing,” he said. “The occupants were subdued through the use of firearms.”

McDermott said the robberies terrified people at the targeted banks.

“Disguises were used to conceal the suspects’ faces and gloves were worn to prevent fingerprints,” he said. “In most cases, the occupants were tied up…

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“The charges brought in this investigation demonstrate the seriousness of the thefts and the circumstances surrounding them. »

Police said a fourth suspect was apprehended Sept. 25 in Vaughan. A fifth suspect has been charged and remains 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 defendants face 53 bank robberies and firearms offences.

“Project Opal required extensive coordination between multiple police services to identify and apprehend the suspects before they could target another bank,” said Ontario Provincial Police Deputy Commissioner Marty Kearns.

“Through their tireless work, they were able to ensure that no other victims would have to endure the fear and trauma of such an ordeal. I express my gratitude to our Opal Project members for their exceptional work and unwavering dedication to public safety.

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

– with files from the Canadian Press

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X: @SudburyStar

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