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Four people have been arrested and another is at large after more than $2 million in reported losses from eight banks, including local RBC
Police have arrested four suspects and are still searching for a fifth as part of an ongoing multi-jurisdictional bank robbery investigation called Project Opal – including a January 18, 2024 robbery at an RBC branch in Newmarket.
York Regional Police said at the time that three suspects entered the bank branch on Davis Drive near Harry Walker Parkway shortly before it closed. According to police, the suspects forcibly locked up three employees, took an unspecified amount of money and fled in a vehicle.
More than $2 million in losses were reported at eight banks, according to an OPP press release. The money has not yet been recovered.
Akeem Williams, 32, of Ajax, is wanted by police in connection with eight armed bank robberies, including one in November 2023 in Barrie. | Photo from Ontario Provincial Police
The joint investigation covered eight bank robberies 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 and Regional York Police Department.
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).
“Project Opal required extensive coordination between multiple law enforcement agencies to identify and arrest the suspects before they could target another bank,” OPP Deputy Commissioner Marty Kearns said in a news release. “Through their tireless work, they were able to ensure that 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 continued commitment to public safety .”
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.
According to police, at least one gun was displayed in all eight robberies, but no injuries were reported. In the last six robberies, bank employees were tied up by the suspects.
Three suspects were arrested during an attempted robbery June 21 in Field, north of Barrie, by the OPP Tactics and Rescue Unit and Aviation Unit, with support from the West Nipissing OPP Major Crime Unit and the CIB.
A fourth suspect was arrested three days later in Vaughan, while a fifth suspect, identified by police as Akeem Williams, was charged and remains at large.
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.
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.
Although charges have been laid, the investigation continues and police urge anyone with information to contact local police, the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800- 222-TIPS (8477) or ontariocrimestoppers.ca.