Toronto-area police have dismantled two “interconnected criminal networks” they say were instrumental in a string of violent home invasions and jewelery store heists that left several victims with “life-altering” injuries.
“We believe this group was responsible for a total of 17 home invasions and robberies,” Deputy Chief Nick Milinovich told reporters. “And I really want to put that in perspective, those 17 incidents represent over 60 victims and people that experienced that terror, inclusive of nine children.”
The series of home invasions and thefts resulted in $2 million in stolen property and included two particularly harrowing attacks in which one victim was shot in the chest and another victim was beaten unconscious in front of his family before being run over by a stolen vehicle, Milinovich said.
One of the most violent home invasions occurred on Oct. 15, 2024, when three suspects forced their way into a home near Glen Erin Drive and Burnhamthorpe Road West in Mississauga. During the ensuing confrontation, the victim was shot in the chest and the suspects fled the scene in a stolen vehicle, Det. Justin Shoniker said.
The following week, on Oct. 22, two suspects followed victims into a residence near Mississauga Road and Queen Street West in Brampton.
After forcing entry into the victims’ home, the suspects demanded the keys to their luxury vehicle. The altercation continued outside and one victim was knocked unconscious. The second suspect reversed the vehicle over the victim, who was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries.
“Although this victim is expected to make a full physical recovery, this incident will obviously have life altering effects,” Shoniker said. “These crimes … not only cause lasting physical and mental impacts on the victims in our communities, but also resulted in a significant financial loss of approximately $2 million in vehicles and jewelry.”
Nearly half of the stolen property has been recovered, Milinovich said. The stolen items confiscated by police include a Mercedes G-Wagon, Lamborghini Urus, designer bags such as Louis Vuitton, high-end jewelry and clothing, Canadian currency, and a loaded firearm and ammunition.
“This type of activity doesn’t belong in Peel,” Milinovich said. “It’s not accepted by our community, not accepted by our police service, and we will continue the battle against violent crime, particularly in the area of home invasions. It is entirely unacceptable.”
The two criminal groups involved in the home invasions and thefts functioned simultaneously and frequently exchanged offenders, many of whom shifted between roles, Shoniker said, noting that juveniles were instrumental in the crimes.
One video released by police shows what appears to be a robbery at a commercial plaza last November with several suspects using sledge hammers to gain entry to the business.
Police have charged 12 people and issued an arrest warrant for 32-year-old Ali Mahdi of Toronto.
Four Toronto men have been charged in connection with the investigation—Burhan Abdulkadir, 29, Jason Cunningham, 30, Neli Deng-Akuk-Ngor, 20, and Hakeem Thomas, 23. Nineteen-year-old Mohanja Ravori of Brampton and Doneil Levy-Porter, 19, of no fixed address were also charged.
Three youths from Mississauga, two from Brampton, and one from Shelburne, have also been charged.
Three of the suspects, including one youth, face attempted murder charges. The suspects have also been charged with a range of assault, robbery, possession of property obtained by crime, and firearm offences.
Seven of the accused were held for bail hearings and remain in custody, police said. Two of the accused were granted bail and have subsequently been released under specific conditions while another three were released on undertakings at the moment of their arrest. Five of the accused were already under existing bail conditions at the time of their arrests.
Peel Crackdown
Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown attended the press conference and said the recent arrests should serve to deter others involved in criminal enterprises from targeting the area.“I hope the word’s getting out…that this is a very inconvenient place to commit a crime,” he said during the press conference, referencing an announcement by the police last week.
Police said at the time that a combined 197 criminal charges had been laid against the 13 people taken into custody. One of the suspects, 20-year-old Neli Deng-Akuk-Ngor, was also arrested in the Project Night Train bust.
Mississauga Deputy Mayor Matt Mahoney called Project Night Train “a clear demonstration of what happens when we bring the full weight of our police service, our partnership and our community commitment together” to tackle crime.
