Ten individuals have been taken into custody and collectively face over 100 charges after an extensive investigation into violent carjackings and thefts of high-end vehicles in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), as stated by Peel police. The investigation, initiated in March, targeted 21 incidents of carjacking and vehicle theft that occurred between June 2025 and April 2026, revealing a “coordinated” criminal network, according to a news release by the police on Sunday.
Detective Sergeant Earl Scott, overseeing the investigation, mentioned during a news conference on Monday that some of the victims sustained “severe injuries” due to the alleged perpetrators using weapons like knives and firearms and physically assaulting them during the thefts. The criminal network in question was purportedly responsible for planning and executing the robberies, arranging the sale of stolen vehicles, and recruiting younger offenders, as per Scott.
Of the arrested individuals, two were 17-year-olds from Brampton and Mississauga, while the remaining eight ranged from 19 to 37 years old and hailed from various parts of the GTA, including Oakville, Brampton, Mississauga, and Halton Hills. Charges against them include involvement in a criminal organization, robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, weapons offenses, and failure to comply with release orders, as reported by the police.
Peel Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah emphasized that the collaborative effort involving multiple agencies such as the Ontario Provincial Police and the police forces of Halton, Hamilton, and Toronto was instrumental in the successful outcome. He stated that the recent arrests signify a significant reduction in threats within the community, with a continued focus on disrupting and dismantling criminal networks associated with carjackings and vehicle thefts.
During the news conference, Deputy Chief Nick Milinovich, Peel Police Service Board chair Nando Iannicca, and Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown were also present. Iannicca expressed gratitude to Brown, who is currently seeking re-election, for his unwavering support of the police force since the outset.
The authorities shared a video during the press briefing showcasing a violent carjacking incident from the previous summer linked to the dismantled criminal network. The footage depicted a daylight attack in a plaza parking lot where the victim, a Rolls Royce driver, was assaulted by the accused individuals. Subsequently, some perpetrators fled in the victim’s vehicle, while others drove away in a nearby car. The victim was seen clinging onto the driver’s door before being forcibly removed as the perpetrators sped off. Law enforcement has recovered a total of 15 vehicles, including BMWs and an Acura, valued at $1.4 million, along with the seizure of four firearms.