A Mississauga man was shot in the chest by home invaders and a Brampton man had his car driven over him, Peel Regional Police said Tuesday, as they announced the results of their latest crackdown on violent home invaders and jewelry store robberies.
The crimes were described at Peel Regional Police headquarters as police announced the arrest of six men and six youths after a six-month investigation into across the region over the last year.Â
The operation, called Project Night Train, resulted in 136 charges, including attempted murder, robbery, firearms-related charges, possession of property obtained by crime.
The Mississauga man was shot in his home near Glen Erin Drive and Burnhamthorpe Road West shortly after midnight on Oct. 15, 2024, when three men forced themselves inside.
The Brampton victim was followed to his home near Mississauga Road and Queen Street West in Brampton by two people, who knocked him unconscious before driving over him.
Both victims suffered life-altering injuries but are expected to survive.
This week’s announcement at Peel police headquarters comes a week after a , into what police called Project Ghost, in which Peel police said they busted another organized crime network that used youth to stage more than 15 violent home invasions, targeting luxury items like vehicles and high-end jewelry.
Both Project Night Train and Project Ghost dealt with youths and adults working together in violent crimes like home invasions in Peel.
Six adults and six youth have been charged in Project Night Train, ranging from 15 to 32 years old. Five of the youth are from Mississauga or Brampton, police added.Â
One man remains at large in Project Night Train, police said.
At the time of arrest and issuance of arrest warrants, five of the accused were already bound by bail conditions, police said.
About $860,000 of the $2 million in stolen cars and jewelry has been recovered from Project Night Train, Det. Justin Shoniker said, adding police believe some of the high end cars have been sold overseas, while stolen jewelry is particularly hard to trace.
Recovered property includes a Mercedes G-Wagon, Lamborghini Urus, designer bags, high-end jewelry and clothing, Canadian currency and a loaded firearm and ammunition, police said.
Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown praised the police, adding he feels he and his family feel safe, even though a man charged last week with uttering death threats against them has been released on bail.
“There’s something broken,†Brown told reporters at a press conference at Peel Police headquarters. “There’s a revolving door in our justice system.â€
“I feel safe because I’ve got great confidence in the Peel Police,†Brown said.
The string of thefts left over 60 victims, including nine children witness to theft crimes, deputy Chief Nick Milinovich added.
Last week, Peel police arrested 13 people between the ages of 15 to 24 years old and laid 197 charges in an organized crime bust related to a series of home invasions.
Money from home invasions and jewelry store robberies is reinvested into other organized crimes, Milinovich said.
“Organized crime takes the proceeds from a crime and then rinse and repeat,†Milinovich said. “They really can take that money and invest it back into their business, which is crime.â€
Shoniker said some of the recruiting of criminals is done through the internet.
“They’re a loosely organized criminal network,†Shoniker said. “They’re very interchangeable. There is no hierarchy.â€
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