None of the money has been recovered, police said.
The investigation, dubbed Project Opal, ran between Dec. 8, 2022, and March 16, 2024, as eight bank robberies occurred within areas policed by the OPP, Barrie police, Belleville police, Durham Regional Police, Niagara Regional Police and York Regional Police.
Police say the charges also relate to a Libro Credit Union robbery on April 4, 2023, in Arkona, a small community located an estimated 50-minute drive northwest of London, in Lambton Shores. Photos released by OPP at the time showed one black-clad suspect and two wearing orange construction gear, their faces covered.
While each police service investigated their own incidents, in August 2023, the OPP started to coordinate the investigation to identify and locate the suspects.
According to the OPP, detectives found similar characteristics in the robberies, which pointed to a single group of suspects.
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The robberies involved two or three people at the banks just before closing and the suspects wore different masks and clothing in each case.
Police said in every robbery at least one handgun was displayed, but there were no injuries. In the last six robberies, bank employees were tied up.
On June 21, three suspects were arrested during an attempted robbery in Field, a small community in the municipality of West Nipissing, in northern Ontario, while a fourth suspect was arrested on Sept. 25 in Vaughan, north of Toronto. A fifth suspect has been charged and remains wanted.
Police arrested and charged Devonte Clark, 29, of Whitby, Keino Heath, 25 of Oshawa, David Newman, 24, of Ajax, and Roderick Newman, 32, of Coburg. Akeem Williams, 32, of Ajax is still wanted.
The five accused are facing 53 bank robbery and firearms offences.
“Project Opal required extensive coordination across multiple police services to identify and apprehend the suspects before they could target another bank,” said OPP Deputy Commissioner Marty Kearns. “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.”
Police are asking anyone with information to contact their local police, the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
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