Ontario government employee among 17 arrested in alleged home invasion ring

Police say they have arrested 17 people, including an Ontario government employee, connected with 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 year-long 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.

Christmas Eve home invasion prompted investigation

The investigation began last year after a home invasion 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.

WATCH | The Christmas Eve home invasion: 

This 2023 Christmas Eve home invasion prompted a year-long investigation by York police

16 days ago

Duration 1:52

York police have made 17 arrests related to an alleged criminal network that planned home invasions, armed robberies and drug trafficking across the GTA. The year-long investigation was prompted by a 2023 home invasion in Vaughan, Ont.

Several accused were out on bail at time of arrest, police say

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 government, Det. Sgt. Ryan Boulay told reporters. The accused allegedly accessed the ministry's data banks to benefit the criminal network.

Boulay wouldn't say whether the accused had been dismissed by the ministry.

"What I can tell you is that we're very confident that information is no longer being accessed by that individual," he said.

In an email, Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement spokesperson Matteo Guinci did not confirm whether the individual has been dismissed, but did say "any employee found to be engaging in unethical or illegal activity has all system privileges revoked immediately, and law enforcement is engaged as needed." 

He said he could not comment further as the case is before the courts, but the ministry is working closely with law enforcement to support the investigation.