6 arrested after string of more than 30 armed robberies, carjackings across GTA

Toronto police have made multiple arrests and recovered nearly $1 million in stolen items following an investigation into a series of armed robberies.

Investigators say officers responded to robberies across the GTA between August 2022 and March 2023. The incidents included 23 pharmacy robberies, seven carjackings, two motor vehicle thefts, and two financial institution robberies.

The multi-jurisdictional investigation, dubbed Project Repeater, included officers from Toronto, Peel, York and Halton Regions, as well as provincial police. The joint investigation resulted in six arrests, including one minor, and the recovery of over $980,000 in stolen vehicles, cash, and narcotics.

Toronto Police Insp. Rich Harris provided details on the investigation on Wednesday morning and said the thieves targeted high-end vehicles, including Cadillac Escalades, various Porsche models, and Land Rovers. The suspects would then allegedly use the stolen vehicles to commit further robberies at pharmacies and currency exchange locations.

“The group of individuals involved in this investigation had the complete earmarks of an organized crime group,” said Harris. “There was planning, there was execution, there was instruction, and there were those that benefited from the robberies.”

In most of the thefts, a group of male suspects used guns to intimidate victims. The suspects would also use a knife or physical violence in instances where firearms weren’t used.

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During the carjackings, it’s alleged suspects would approach vehicles and point guns at the driver and demand their keys. The suspects would then flee the scene in the stolen vehicles.

“Toronto Police remain concerned about the number of carjackings and pharmacy robberies in our city,” said Harris. “So far this year, there have been 54 pharmacy robberies compared to 33 at this time last year – a 64 per cent increase.”

“The number of carjackings remains high at 23 so far this year, with those vehicles often being used as suspect vehicles in jewellery store, financial and electronics store robberies.”

Seven of the nine vehicles stolen during the string of crimes have been recovered. Two of the stolen cars remain outstanding.

Police are looking for a black 2022 Cadillac Escalade with the Ontario licence plate CHDRYSB and a black 2022 Dodge Durango with the Ontario licence plate CYDM878.

During the pharmacy robberies, the suspects would enter each location and commit takeover-style robberies while making demands for cash and narcotics. In most cases, the suspects fled in an awaiting vehicle with a number of stolen items.

Investigators were able to identify a group of suspects, some who committed the robberies and some who helped in planning the crimes.

Officers conducted seven search warrants on March 30 and took four suspects into custody. Two suspects were previously in custody.

Five of the suspects are between the ages of 22 and 32 and include four men and a woman. A sixth suspect is a 15-year-old boy.

• Amir Inyat, 29, of Brampton, is facing 71 charges, including 28 counts of armed robbery
• A 15-year-old boy, of Toronto, is facing 62 charges, including seven counts of armed robbery
• Steven Singh, 22, of Brampton, is facing 58 charges, including 20 counts of armed robbery
• Shais Ejaz, 25, of Brampton, is facing 16 charges, including six counts of armed robbery
• Mohammad Habib, 32, of Toronto, is facing four charges, including two counts of armed robbery
• Kausar Rahimzada, 21, of Toronto, is facing a single charge

Anyone with additional information is being asked to contact the police.