'Project Skyfall': Police north of Toronto arrest 17 suspects allegedly involved in GTA home invasions

Police in York Region have arrested 17 people who are allegedly part of a “multi-faceted criminal organization” involved in home invasions, armed robberies and drug trafficking in the Greater Toronto Area.

The results are part of a year-long investigation dubbed “Project Skyfall,” announced by York Regional Police Tuesday. The accused are facing a combined total of 83 charges.

Photo shows the people arrested in connection with York Regional Police's Project Skyfall investigation.

“Today, we’re here to send a very strong message that the York Regional Police will not tolerate armed criminals violating the sanctity of the homes in our community. And we will use every resource available to us to eliminate the threats that illegal firearms and organized crime pose to York Region’s residents,” Deputy Chief of Investigations Alvaro Almeida said during a news conference.

In addition to the arrest, investigators also seized $14.4 million worth of drugs and three weapons, which were displayed during the news conference.

SOME SUSPECTS ALREADY OUT ON BAIL, POLICE SAY

Almeida said six of the people were on bail conditions or other forms of release when they were arrested, including one who was on parole for armed robbery and discharging a gun.

He added that four others have firearm prohibitions.

Almeida revealed prior to the news conference, seven of the suspects were already out on bail.

“We know that profit-driven crime is complex and that these responsible know no boundaries. If it makes them money, be it armed robbery, trafficking in drugs, or terrorizing a family within their own home, criminals will jump at the opportunity, and they will repeat this behaviour time and time again. These individuals pose a danger to our community,” he said.

“They should be held in custody, but unfortunately, they have been released. This needs to change. I can assure you that police are working everywhere very hard to prevent crime every single day.”

SUSPECT ACCESSED GOVERNMENT DATABASE

Police also confirmed one person charged with unauthorized use of a computer worked for the Ministry of Transportation at the time of their arrest.

The suspect allegedly accessed the databanks of the ministry “to benefit the criminal network.”

Det. Sgt. Ryan Boulay of the hold-up unit would not say if the individual is still employed, directing reporters to reach out to the ministry for that information.

“What I can tell you is that we’re confident that there is no further information being accessed by those offenders at this time,” he said.

CP24 has reached out to the ministry for comment.

HOW PROJECT SKYFALL BEGAN

The investigation started on Christmas Eve last year following a home invasion in Vaughan. During the news conference, they played a video released in July showing officers responding to the Dec. 24 incident in the area of Forest Drive and Harmonia Crescent.

An individual is heard in the video telling a 911 operator that somebody had broken into their house and tried to “rob and threaten” them. But before the 911 operator can reply, a suspect is heard in the background.

“Get off the phone. Sit down and don’t move,” they say before repeatedly asking the resident, “Where is the money?” In the audio, the resident can be heard saying, “That is all I have,” but the suspect or suspects continue to demand money.

Officers later arrived at the home and are seen in the video walking up to the front door. At that point, screaming can be heard, followed by officers commanding three suspects to come out with their hands up.

One officer discharged their gun multiple times, but no one was hit. One suspect was taken into custody while the two others fled.

“This video, as shocking as it is, hardly captures the extent of the trauma and terror that was caused when these criminals commit home invasions and armed robberies,” Almeida said on Tuesday.

SUSPECT VEHICLE STOLEN IN CALGARY

Officials also revealed a black sedan involved in the Christmas Eve home invasion was stolen during an armed carjacking in Calgary, and one of the suspects was on bail conditions “out west” and allegedly removed his GPS monitoring device before moving to the GTA.

Of the 17 suspects, three are Saskatchewan residents.

“We’re alleging that some of the offenders in the GTA were the conspirators who were planning these types of home invasions, and some of the other offenders were the ones actually committing the acts,” said Boulay.

“We believe that three potential home invasions or armed robberies were going to occur that were disrupted, and that’s as a result of the ongoing investigation.”

With files from CP24’s Chris Fox