York police arrest 17 connected to alleged home invasion ring

Following a year-long investigation, York police say they have arrested 17 people connected to an alleged criminal network that's been planning and perpetrating home invasions, armed robberies and drug trafficking in the Greater Toronto Area.

Deputy Chief Alvaro Almeida announced the results of the investigation Monday at a news conference at police headquarters in Aurora, which included a combined 83 charges laid.

"We have shown once again our commitment to our community, that when criminal organizations threaten your safety and your security, we won't stop until those criminals are behind bars," Almeida said.

Since 2021, reports of home invasions in York region have risen 116 per cent, Almeida said, going from 18 that year to 39 so far in 2024.

The investigation, which was led by YRP investigators and aided by Toronto and Peel police, also resulted in the seizure of three weapons and over $14 million worth of illegal drugs, Almeida said.

The seized drugs include cocaine, MDMA, methamphetamine and 300,000 tablets "which were manufactured for the purposes of trafficking as Oxycodone," he said.

The investigation began last year following a home invasion police responded to in Vaughan on Christmas Eve, Almeida said. 

During the incident, part of which was captured on a video recording shown at Monday's conference, three suspects in masks held residents at gunpoint and assaulted them while demanding money, Almeida said. 

Police arrived on the scene and arrested one person, while two other suspects fled. No one was injured.

After the incident, investigators discovered a "multi-faceted criminal organization" responsible for planned home invasions, armed robberies and drug trafficking across the Greater Toronto Area, Almeida said.

Almeida said six of the accused were out on bail conditions or other forms of release when they were arrested, one of whom was on parole for armed robbery and discharging a gun. The accused also had a combined eight firearm prohibitions, he said. 

Seven of the accused have been released on bail since they were arrested, Almeida said, adding that he and other police involved in the investigation were displeased.

"These individuals pose a danger to our community. They should be held in custody," he said. "But unfortunately, they have been released. This needs to change."

One of the accused was also employed by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, Det. Sgt. Ryan Boulay told reporters. The accused allegedly accessed the ministry's data banks to benefit the criminal network.