Peel Regional Police have dismantled two violent and interconnected criminal networks responsible for a string of brutal home invasions and jewellery store robberies across the GTA — crimes that left several victims with life-altering injuries and resulted in the theft of nearly $2 million in property and 136 charges laid.
The investigation, dubbed Project Night Train, focused on 17 violent incidents between May and December 2024, including two particularly harrowing attacks that investigators described in detail at a press conference on Tuesday.
In the first incident on Oct. 15, 2024, three suspects forced their way into a home near Glen Erin Drive and Burnhamthorpe Road West in Mississauga. During a confrontation, the victim was shot in the chest. The suspects fled in a stolen vehicle.
The victim was rushed to a trauma centre with life-threatening injuries and later released with permanent, life-altering injuries.
One week later, on Oct. 22, 2024, two suspects followed victims into a residence near Mississauga Road and Queen Street West in Brampton. After forcing entry and demanding the keys to a luxury vehicle, one victim was knocked unconscious.
PRP said one of the suspects reversed the stolen vehicle over the victim, who was hospitalized in critical condition. The victim is expected to recover.
Investigators say the two criminal networks operated in tandem and often shared offenders, many of whom rotated between jobs. Authorities also revealed that young offenders played a significant role in the crime spree.
Several youths charged through Project Night Train
As of Tuesday, police have arrested six adults and six young persons (ranging in ages from 15 to 17), all now facing a combined 136 charges, including attempted murder, robbery, firearm offences, and possession of property obtained by crime.
Among those identified were Mohanja Ravori, 19, of Brampton, Hakeem Thomas, 23, of Toronto, Burhan Abdulkadir, 29, of Toronto, Jason Cunningham, 30, of Toronto, Doneil Levy-Porter, 19, of no fixed address and Neli Deng-Akuk-Ngor, 19, of Toronto.
An arrest warrant has also been issued for 32-year-old Ali Mahdi of Toronto.
PRP said that seven of the accused remain in custody following bail hearings, and two were released with conditions after the fact. Three were released on undertakings at the time of arrest, while five of the accused were under court-imposed bail conditions when they were taken into custody.
Items seized by police totalling approximately $860,000:
- Mercedes G-Wagon
- Lamborghini Urus
- Designer bags, such as Louis Vuitton
- High-end jewellery and clothing
- Canadian currency
- Loaded firearm and ammunition
Last week, Peel Regional Police investigators announced the dismantling of an organized criminal enterprise that carried out more than 15 violent home invasions involving the theft of luxury vehicles and high-end jewellery. Project Ghost resulted in the arrests of 13 people, including five youths, who now face a combined total of nearly 200 charges.