Project Warlock: 18 arrested in Peel home invasions, armed robberies and carjackings investigation

Investigators in Peel Region have made 18 arrests in connection with a string of home invasions, armed robberies and carjackings, with over $1.2 million worth of stolen vehicles recovered in what is called 'Project Warlock'.

Details of Project Warlock were revealed at a press conference in Brampton on Tuesday, where Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah, Detective Allan Dean and Deputy Chief Nick Milinovich discussed the results of a lengthy investigation into the series of crimes.

Authorities say multiple search warrants were carried out throughout the case, leading to 18 arrests and over 100 charges were laid. The offences occurred in Brampton and Mississauga and municipalities across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

“The home invasions have involved individuals waking up to firearms, presented to them in their beds, and children at home being traumatized,” said Duraiappah. “It has forever changed the lives of some of these families and their children the way they live on a day-to-day basis.”

Over $55,000 worth of stolen property was recovered, and police revealed that four prohibited firearms were seized through Project Warlock.

Home invasions plaguing Brampton communities

Det. Dean, Project Warlock’s lead investigator, said that between Nov. 2023 and Jan. 2024, eight violent robberies occurred in Brampton. These included home invasions, carjackings and commercial robberies. The suspects targeted jewellery, clothing and luxury vehicles.

“During the course of one home invasion, a victim sustained a life-threatening gunshot wound to his lower body,” said Det. Dean. “The initial investigations into these eight incidents identified an organized criminal network based in Brampton and Mississauga as being responsible for these robberies.”

Those charged as part of Project Warlock include:

• Nanayaw Kwarten, a 21-year-old from Mississauga
• Mark Obohat, a 19-year-old from Brampton
• A 14-year-old youth from Mississauga
• Jessiah Farrell, a 21-year-old from Brampton
• Kashaun Grenier, a 21-year-old from Brampton
• Tyrese Williams, a 24-year-old from Brampton
• Patrick Kubu, a 19-year-old from Brampton
• Isiah Grenier, a 19-year-old from Brampton
• Mohammed Muheeb, a 23-year-old from London, Ont.
• Ayub Abdi, a 22-year-old from Brampton
• MD Abdul Kibria, a 22-year-old from Milton
• Oneil Antubam, a 23-year-old from Mississauga
• A 17-year-old youth from Cambridge
• Breanna Nash, a 26-year-old from Brampton
• Teshawn Kerr-Cover, a 24-year-old from Brampton
• Antoine Betty, a 27-year-old from Brampton
• Inderpal Dhillon, a 26-year-old from Brampton
• A 17-year-old youth from Brampton

The three teenagers were not identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA), which prohibits the release of a young person’s name.

Carjackings carried out across GTA

Det. Dean said nine additional robberies committed in Peel Region were also linked to the same criminal network, including two robberies involving firearms and three knife-point robberies.

Duraiappah said Peel Regional Police officers investigated 87 carjackings in 2024, with Project Warlock launched in 2023. These included five carjackings across the GTA, in Peel Region and York Region, involving multiple luxury cars. Twelve vehicles valued at approximately $1.2 million were recovered, believed to have been stolen or used to commit crimes in the region.

“Violence like this terrifies and shatters the sense of safety of residents and their families,” said Duraiappah.

Last week, Peel Regional Police announced their largest-ever illegal gun seizure, with 10 people facing charges and the recovery of 71 firearms.

“On behalf of Peel Regional Police, we will do everything in our power to continue to arrest and stop these individuals, seize firearms from them, and ensure these criminals do not victimize our community anymore,” added Duraiappah.

These investigations are ongoing, and police anticipate more charges could be laid.