Project Castle, Multiple arrests in series of armed robberies, Police believe they may be involved in other robberies

Project Castle, Multiple arrests in series of armed robberies, Police believe they may be involved in other robberies

Tuesday, July 28, 2015 - 11:06 AM
Hold Up:  416-808-7350

The Toronto Police Service would like to make the public aware of arrests in a series of armed robberies.

Between Tuesday, March 3, 2015 and Thursday, May 28, 2015, there were 12 armed robberies at various TTC stations, retail establishments and a financial institution in Toronto. Toronto Police Service Hold Up started an extensive investigation, resulting in "Project Castle".

"Project Castle" involved the assistance of Major Crime Units of 11 Division, 12 Division, 51 Division, 53 Division, 54 Division and 55 Division, TAVIS and Transit Patrol and the support of the Investigative Services of the Toronto Transit Commission. Extensive stake-outs and special attention to the subway corridors were conducted to ensure the safety of TTC employees and the general public.

On Thursday, July 23, 2015 at 6 a.m., the TPS executed multiple search warrants at a number of dwellings across the Greater Toronto Area.

The following have been arrested:

Javar Thomas, 24, of Toronto, has been charged with:

1) Conspiracy to Commit Indictable Offence
2) five counts of Armed Robbery (Firearm)
3) five counts of Disguise with Intent
4) Theft over $5000
5) Escape Lawful Custody
6) Possession of Property Obtained by Crime
7) Possession of a Prohibited Firearm
8) Unauthorized possession of a firearm
9) Possession of a firearm knowing unauthorized
10) Possession of a firearm obtained by crime
11) Careless storage of a firearm
12) Careless storage of ammo
13) Possession of a firearm knowing the serial number defaced
14) six counts of Possession of Firearm while Prohibited

He was scheduled to appear in court at 1911 Eglinton Avenue East on Friday, July 24, 2015, 10 a.m.

Stefon Edwards, 20, of Pickering, has been charged with:

1) Conspiracy to Commit Indictable Offence
2) twelve counts of Armed Robbery (Firearm)
3) twelve counts of Disguise with Intent
4) twelve counts of Fail to Comply Probation
5) Possession of Property Obtained By Crime

He was scheduled to appear in court at 1911 Eglinton Avenue East on Friday, July 24, 2015, 10 a.m.


A 17-year-old boy was arrested and charged with:

1) two counts of Armed Robbery (Firearm)
2) two counts of Disguise with Intent

He was scheduled to appear in court at 1911 Eglinton Avenue East on Friday, July 24, 2015, 10 a.m.

Davidae Skelton, 18, of Mississauga, has been charged with:

1) Conspiracy to Commit Indictable Offence
2) eight counts of Armed Robbery (Firearm)
3) eight counts of Disguise with Intent

He was scheduled to appear in court at 1911 Eglinton Avenue East on Friday, July 24, 2015 at 10 a.m.

Andre Edwards, 21, of Toronto, has been charged with:

1) Conspiracy to Commit Indictable Offence
2) two counts of Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under

He was scheduled to appear in court at 1911 Eglinton Avenue East on Friday, July 24, 2015 at 10 a.m.


Jonathan Pileggi, 18, of Stouffville, has been charged with:

1)Conspiracy to Commit Indictable Offence
2) twelve counts of Armed Robbery (Firearm)
3) twelve counts of Disguise with Intent

He was scheduled to appear in court at 1911 Eglinton Avenue East on Friday, July 24, 2015, 10 a.m.


Damen Smith, 19, of Toronto, has been charged with:

1) Possession of a Prohibited Firearm
2) Unauthorized possession of a firearm
3) Possession of a firearm knowing unauthorized
4) Possession of a firearm obtained by crime
5) Careless storage of a firearm
6) Careless storage of ammo
7) Possession of a firearm knowing the serial number defaced

He was scheduled to appear in court at 1911 Eglinton Avenue East on Friday, July 24, 2015 at 10 a.m.


Houghton Cozier, 20, of Toronto, has been charged with:

1) Possession of a Prohibited Firearm
2) Unauthorized possession of a firearm
3) Possession of a firearm knowing unauthorized
4) Possession of a firearm obtained by crime
5) Careless storage of a firearm
6) Careless storage of ammo
7) Possession of a firearm knowing the serial number defaced
8) Possession for the Purpose Crack Cocaine

He was scheduled to appear in court at 1911 Eglinton Avenue East on Friday, July 24, 2015 at 10 a.m.

A 17-year-old boy of Toronto, and a 16 year-old boy of Innisfil, have been charged with:

1) Possession of a Prohibited Firearm
2) Unauthorized possession of a firearm
3) Possession of a firearm knowing unauthorized
4) Possession of a firearm obtained by crime
5) Careless storage of a firearm
6) Careless storage of ammo
7) Possession of a firearm knowing the serial number defaced
8) Fail to Comply Probation

They were scheduled to appear in court at 1911 Eglinton Avenue East, on Friday, July 24, 2015, 10 a.m.

Vanessa Barachin, 22, of Toronto, has been charged with:

1) Possession of a Prohibited Firearm
2) Unauthorized possession of a firearm
3) Possession of a firearm knowing unauthorized
4) Possession of a firearm obtained by crime
5) Careless storage of a firearm
6) Careless storage of ammo
7) Possession of a firearm knowing the serial number defaced
8) Fail to Comply Recognizance

She was scheduled to appear in court at 1911 Eglinton Avenue East on Friday, July 24, 2015 at 10 a.m.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-7350, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637). Download the free Crime Stoppers Mobile App on iTunes, Google Play or Blackberry App World.
For more news, visit TPSnews.ca.

Constable Jenifferjit Sidhu, Corporate Communications, for Inspector Mike Earl, Hold Up