Four youths, the youngest 13, have been charged after York Regional Police traced a run of home break-ins to a network they believe is behind more than 50 incidents, the force said on Tuesday.
The investigation, called Project Howler, began after officers noticed a pattern: people entering houses to take the keys to luxury vehicles parked in the driveway or garage. In some of those break-ins, police say, weapons including firearms were brandished.
On the night of Wednesday, August 26, investigators found the group travelling in a car reported stolen from Richmond Hill the day before. At about 11 p.m. the car reached the area of Thorncliffe Park Drive and Overlea Boulevard in Toronto, where officers moved in. Three youths were arrested after a short foot chase. A fourth was charged on Friday, August 28. Seven stolen vehicles were recovered.
All four are from Toronto: two 17-year-olds, a 14-year-old and a 13-year-old. The charges include trafficking in property obtained by crime over $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, possession of an automobile master key, dangerous operation and failing to comply with a probation order. They cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, and none of the charges has been proven in court.
Police say they are still reviewing evidence and expect more charges.
Anyone with information is asked to call the York Regional Police Hold-Up Unit at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 6630, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Source: York Regional Police, “Four Youths Charged Following Investigation into Vehicle Thefts”, September 8, 2026.
