Police have arrested four suspects and are still seeking a fifth as part of an ongoing multi-jurisdictional investigation into bank robberies dubbed Project Opal — including the Nov. 9, 2023 armed robbery at the Ontario Educational Credit Union in Barrie.
Last November, local police reported that two males, who both wore full face coverings, "burst into the credit union brandishing firearms and made a demand for money”.
The employees were restrained, which delayed the police response by about half an hour, however no serious injuries occurred, police said at the time.
Barrie police also said the dollar amount taken at the time was in excess of five digits, although a specific amount was not released.
Investigators now say the suspects are allegedly responsible for more than $2 million in reported losses across the eight banks. The money has not yet been recovered.
The Ontario Educational Credit Union’s website says it’s open to all active or retired educational employees and their families throughout the province. Its head office is in Mississauga, but it operates a branch on Alliance Boulevard in north Barrie.
The joint investigation was related to eight bank robberies which occurred between Dec. 8, 2022 and March 16, 2024 in municipalities policed by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), Barrie Police Service, Belleville Police Service, Durham Regional Police Service, Niagara Regional Police Service and York Regional Police.
Although each police service investigated their respective incidents, in August 2023 the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) became involved to co-ordinate the investigation into the suspects after police identified similar characteristics in the robberies, pointing to a single group of perpetrators.
The investigation included support from Grey Bruce OPP, the Centre of Forensic Services, and Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC).
"Project Opal required extensive co-ordination across multiple police services to identify and apprehend the suspects before they could target another bank," OPP Deputy Commissioner Marty Kearns said in a news release. "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 say each robbery involved two or three individuals entering the banks prior to closing, according to the release, which also noted the suspects wore different masks and clothing each time.
During all eight robberies, police say at least one handgun was displayed, however no injuries occurred. In the last six robberies, bank employees were bound by the suspects.
Three suspects were arrested during an attempted robbery on June 21 in Field, Ont., located approximately three-and-a-half-hours north of Barrie, by OPP tactics and rescue unit and the aviation unit, with support from the West Nipissing OPP major crime unit and the CIB.
A fourth suspect was arrested three days later in Vaughan while a fifth suspect, identified by police as Akeem Williams, was charged and remains at large.
The suspects are facing a combined 53 charges, including forcible confinement, disguise with intent, robbery with violence, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, conspiracy to commit an indictable offence and robbery with a firearm, among multiple other offences.
Charges have been laid against Devonte Clark, 29, of Whitby; Keino Heath, 25, of Oshawa; David Newman, 24, of Ajax; and Roderick Newman, 32, of Cobourg.
Williams, 32, of Ajax, is still being sought by police. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to not approach him and contact police immediately.
While charges have been laid, the investigation continues and police are urging anyone with information to contact their local police, the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or ontariocrimestoppers.ca.
