Police have laid additional charges in a multi-jurisdictional bank robbery investigation named Project Opal.
Between Thursday, December 8, 2022, and Saturday, March 16, 2024, a series of eight armed bank robberies occurred in jurisdictions 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. While each police service initially investigated their respective incidents, the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) assumed a coordinating role in August 2023 after investigators identified consistent patterns suggesting the involvement of a single group of suspects.
In each robbery, two or three individuals entered the bank shortly before closing. The suspects wore different disguises in each occurrence and brandished at least one handgun. In the last six robberies, bank employees were bound. Investigators have determined that the group of suspects is responsible for more than $2 million in reported losses across eight banks. The stolen funds have not yet been recovered.
On Friday, June 21, 2024, three suspects were arrested during an attempted robbery in Field, Ontario, by OPP Tactics and Rescue Unit and the OPP Aviation Unit, with support from West Nipissing OPP Crime Unit and CIB. A fourth suspect was arrested on Thursday, September 25, 2024, in Vaughan.
On Friday, June 27, 2025, the OPP charged Roderick NEWMAN, 33 years old of Cobourg, with two counts of robbery with restricted or prohibited weapon contrary to section 344(1)(a) of the Criminal Code. These charges are in relation to robberies in Barrie and Newmarket.
The accused remains in custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Oshawa on Tuesday, July 8, 2025.
The fifth suspect, Akeem WILLIAMS, 33 years old of Ajax, remains wanted. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to not approach him and instead contact police immediately.
Previous information, including the b-roll footage, project poster, video and photo of the wanted individual, is located in the Project Opal media kit (opp.ca/news).
This investigation included support from the Centre of Forensic Services and Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC).
The investigation continues. Anyone with information is urged to contact their local police or the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or ontariocrimestoppers.ca.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
