Police say suspects arrested in northern Ont. in June robbed $2M from banks across Ontario

Three suspects arrested in West Nipissing earlier this year were part of a group of five who robbed banks across the province, Ontario Provincial Police said Tuesday.

A fourth suspect was arrested last month in Vaughan and a fifth is still being pursued.

The bank robbery suspects wore different masks and clothing in each occurrence. During all robberies, at least one handgun was displayed though no injuries occurred. In the last six robberies, bank employees were bound. (Photo from video)

The attempted robbery June 21 in the northern Ontario community of Field followed the same pattern the suspects developed for the series thefts, which included eight robberies between Dec. 8, 2022, and March 16, 2024.

"The robberies involved two or three individuals entering the banks prior to closing," Ontario Provincial Police said in a news release Tuesday.

"They wore different masks and clothing in each occurrence. During all robberies, at least one handgun was displayed though no injuries occurred. In the last six robberies, bank employees were bound."

The more than $2 million stolen during the thefts has not been recovered.

Police set up a special operation, Project Opal, to catch the thieves.

Communities affected by the thefts are Barrie, Niagara Falls, Belleville, Newmarket, Pickering, Feversham, Arkona and Arnprior.

"Though each police service investigated their respective incidents, in August 2023, the OPP criminal investigation branch became involved to coordinate the investigation into the suspects," police said.

"The police identified similar characteristics in the robberies, which pointed to a single group of perpetrators."

The more than $2 million stolen in the robberies has not been recovered. Police set up a special operation, Project Opal, to catch the thieves. Communities affected by the thefts are Barrie, Niagara Falls, Belleville, Newmarket, Pickering, Feversham, Arkona and Arnprior. (OPP graphic)

The bank robbery suspects wore different masks and clothing in each occurrence. During all robberies, at least one handgun was displayed though no injuries occurred. In the last six robberies, bank employees were bound. (Photo from video)

The break in the case came in the attempted robbery last June in the West Nipissing community of Field. Police said the three suspects were arrested thanks to the combined efforts of the OPP tactics and rescue unit and the aviation unit, with support from OPP officers in West Nipissing.

The three arrested in Field are a 24-year-old from Ajax, a 25-year-old from Oshawa and 32-year-old from Coburg. A 29-year-old from Whitby was arrested Sept. 25 in Vaughan.

One suspect still wanted

A fifth suspect, a 32-year-old from Ajax, was charged and remains wanted, police said. In total, the five people are charged with 53 offences.

"Project Opal required extensive coordination across multiple police services to identify and apprehend the suspects before they could target another bank," OPP Deputy Commissioner Marty Kearns said in the news release.

"Through their tireless work, they were able to ensure 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 their unwavering dedication to public safety."

"Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to not approach him and contact police immediately," police said.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact their local police, the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online.