Police have charged four suspects, while one remains at large, as part of a multi-jurisdictional investigation into bank robberies, named Project Opal.
At a news conference at Ontario Provincial Police headquarters in Orillia on Tuesday, investigators revealed that between December 8, 2022, and March 16 of this year, eight bank robberies occurred in areas policed by OPP, as well as police services in Barrie, Belleville, Durham, Niagara and York Regions.
The robbery in Barrie occurred on Nov. 9, 2023, at the Ontario Educational Credit Union at 48 Alliance Blvd, in the area of Duckworth Street and Highway 400.
At the time, police said they were looking for two suspects and that a "significant" amount of money was stolen.
At Tuesday's news conference, police said the robberies involved two or three individuals entering the banks before closing.
"They wore different masks and clothing in each occurrence. During all robberies, at least one handgun was displayed though no injuries occurred. In the last six robberies, bank employees were bound. Investigators have determined that the group of suspects is responsible for more than $2 million in reported losses across eight banks. The money has not yet been recovered," according to a police news release.
Police said three suspects were arrested on June 21 during an attempted robbery in Field, northwest of North Bay. A fourth suspect was nabbed Sept. 25 in Vaughan.
While charges have been laid, police added the investigation continues and anyone with information is asked to contact local police, the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers anonymously.
The suspects taken into custody are from Whitby, Ajax, Cobourg and Oshawa.
