A 33-year-old Cobourg resident is facing additional charges in connection with “Project Opal,” a multi-jurisdictional bank robbery investigation, says OPP.
In an update issued on Friday, June 27, 2025, OPP said additional charges were laid in their probe and that a fifth suspect from Ajax remains wanted.
As previously reported by police, between Dec. 8, 2022 and March 16, 2024, a series of eight armed bank robberies occurred in OPP, Barrie Police Service, Belleville Police Service, Durham Regional Police Service, Niagara Regional Police Service and York Regional Police jurisdictions.
While each service initially investigated their respective alleged incidents, OPP’s criminal investigation branch (CIB) assumed a co-ordinating role in August 2023 after investigators identified consistent patterns suggesting the involvement of a single group of suspects, said police.
In each robbery, two or three individuals entered the bank shortly before closing, said police.
“The suspects wore different disguises in each occurrence and brandished at least one handgun,” said police. “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 June 21, 2024, three suspects were arrested during an alleged attempted robbery in Field, Ont., by OPP’s tactics and rescue unit and the aviation unit, with help from West Nipissing OPP’s crime unit and CIB, reported police. According to OPP’s October 2024 addendum of charges, the accused Cobourg resident was initially arrested on June 21, along with a Whitby and Ajax resident.
A fourth suspect from Whitby was arrested on Sept. 25, 2024, in Vaughan.
On Friday, June 27, 2025, OPP said Roderick Newman, 33, of Cobourg, was charged with two counts of robbery with a restricted or prohibited weapon, contrary to section 344(1)(a) of the Criminal Code of Canada.
Police said these charges are related to alleged robberies in Barrie and Newmarket. These charges have not been proven in court.
On Friday, police said the accused remained in custody scheduled to appear in Oshawa court on Tuesday, July 8, 2025.
Meanwhile, a fifth suspect, Akeem Williams, 33, of Ajax, remains wanted, said police, in their update.
Anyone with information about his whereabouts is urged not to approach him and contact police immediately, said police.
The Centre of Forensic Services and Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada is also aiding in the investigation, which is ongoing.
Anyone with information relating to this probe is asked to contact their local police detachment or OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Crime Stoppers is an anonymous option where tips can be submitted online or by calling 1-800-222-8477.
