Violent home invasions created ‘terror’ in Mississauga, Brampton: police

Police say they’ve broken up a violent organized crime group that allegedly used teens to carry out more than a dozen home invasions that terrorized — and in some cases seriously injured — homeowners and their families in Mississauga, Brampton and across the Greater Toronto Area.

High-end vehicles and jewelry valued at more than $1.8 million were stolen in the 15 violent home invasions that date back to last year, Peel Regional Police told reporters during a press conference Tuesday afternoon at police headquarters in Mississauga.

Police said roughly $600,000 of the stolen goods has been recovered as part of their investigation that has also led to the arrests of 13 people who face a total of 197 charges. Some 200 police officers in several regions executed search warrants on June 5 that resulted in many of the arrests, investigators said.

Five of those charged are under the age of 18, the youngest a 15-year-old boy from Brampton, police said.

Seven of the suspects facing numerous charges related to organized crime, robbery, attempted murder, firearms and more are from Mississauga, three are from Brampton and three are from Toronto.

Investigators said they also seized cellphones, laptops, a replica firearm and a quantity of white powder believed to be cocaine.

Peel police Deputy Chief Nick Milinovich said the lengthy investigation, dubbed Project Ghost, wound up focusing on what he described as a “violent criminal network” led by adults who used youths to carry out the home invasions and “create terror in our communities.”

He added that organized crime is “calculated, well-connected and deeply damaging to our communities. These networks prey on at-risk youth, pulling them into violent, criminal activity. Disrupting these operations and giving young people a way out is critical.”

Police said their probe was initiated after they identified a group they believed to be responsible for several violent incidents last year:

• Aug. 1, 2024, about 2:45 a.m. — three suspects attempted to break into a home on Maybeck Drive in Brampton after targeting a BMW parked in the driveway. They fled in a white Acura after failing to get into the home
• Aug. 1, 2024, about 30 minutes later — the same males broke into a Boathouse Road home in Brampton and demanded keys to a Mercedes-Benz. “Though the victims complied, three were stabbed, one critically, with a wound narrowly missing his heart,” investigators said. Those responsible fled in the same white Acura (two people were arrested after surveillance, and a third was later arrested with stolen property recovered following a search warrant, police said)
• Sept. 10, 2024 — the driver of a Lamborghini was shot and seriously injured in a targeted attack in Mississauga (two people were arrested, and charged with attempted murder)

Police said they were able to link the shooting and home invasions to the same criminal group in addition to other home invasions and luxury vehicle and jewelry thefts across Peel and Halton.

In total, investigators added, they connected the same group to 15 violent home invasions and thefts.

Police also noted their investigation revealed the group allegedly operated “with defined roles, including leaders and participants responsible for targeting high-end vehicles, coordinating the robberies, selling stolen property and recruiting youth to carry out the crimes.”

Mississauga Ward 2 Coun. Alvin Tedjo, who attended the press conference at police headquarters, said a number of the violent incidents occurred in the city’s southwest area he represents.

“This was an unusually violent, organized criminal network that terrorized families and drafted vulnerable youth into its activities,” he said, adding one Mississauga home invasion several months ago saw residents of the home “tied up and held at gunpoint.”

Mississauga residents charged are:

• Muhammad Munzir Sultan, 21
• Ounali Hussain, 25
• Muhammad Raed Abbasi, 20
• Mirza Arfeen Baig, 22
• Melad Barghouthi, 24
• Mustafa Alabd, 20
• young person, aged 16

Also charged are Arbaaz Amir, 22, Ngor Neli Deng Akuk Ngor, 20, and a 17-year-old youth, all of Toronto, and two 16-year-olds and a 15-year-old all of Brampton.

The accused were held for bail hearings in Brampton court.

Peel police said as part of their “commitment to community safety and well-being, referrals have been made for the young persons charged and their families to ensure they have access to appropriate resources and support services” aimed at preventing criminal behaviour.

(Cover photo: Peel Regional Police)