Peel Region anti-gun violence project triggers 28 arrests on 480 charges

Published Aug 29, 2024  •  2 minute read

Seven GTA men charged with weapons offences as part of a Peel Regional Police investigation. Photo by HANDOUT /PEEL REGIONAL POLICE

Cops in Peel Region have taken a big step in the fight against illegal firearms, culminating with 28 people being arrested on 480 charges.

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Since January, the Specialized Enforcement Bureau’s Strategic Tactical Enforcement Policing (STEP) team has seized 24 illegal firearms along with $300,000 in illegal drugs, Peel Regional Police said in a statement released Thursday.

There were five illegal firearms seized and removed in July and four firearms seized in an Aug. 17 investigation.

“Illegal firearms possession poses serious risk to our communities,” Deputy Chief Nick Milinovich said. “Our service will continue to address this risk through a variety of strategies inclusive of the enforcement demonstrated here by our STEP team. They are a talented group of officers committed to protecting our community’s safety and ensuring criminals are held accountable.”

Peel cops announced their proactive gun violence project results on the same day that Toronto Police announced they made 18 arrests along with 109 charges laid, six firearms seized and three stolen vehicles recovered as part of its similar proactive project.

Weapons seized by Peel Regional Police. PEEL REGIONAL POLICE HANDOUT

On Thursday, Peel Regional Police highlighted recent investigations.

On July 6, STEP officers investigated a vehicle near Queen St. E. and Rutherford Rd. S. for cannabis-related offences and found an illegal handgun with multiple rounds of ammunition.

Tyrell Doyle, 33, of no fixed address, was arrested and charged with multiple offences.

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Around 2:45 a.m. that same day, STEP officers investigated the passenger of a vehicle in the Airway Dr.-Northwest Dr. area of Mississauga for cannabis-related offences and found four illegal handguns and multiple rounds of ammunition.

Following a foot pursuit, Reeke Jomaine Ellis, of no fixed address, was arrested and charged with numerous offences.

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On Aug. 17, between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m., STEP officers investigated four vehicles in the Northwest Dr. area of Mississauga for cannabis-related offences and seized a loaded 9mm Smith and Wesson M&P handgun, a loaded Ruger handgun, a loaded Glock 43X handgun and a loaded Springfield compact 40-caliber handgun.

Following a foot pursuit, Christopher Hayden, 45, of Toronto, Everal Hayden, 46, of Toronto, Fabian Stewart, 33, of North York, Anthony Ewan, 31, of Toronto, and Traivon Grant, 32, of Mississauga, were charged with various offences.

Police said Grant was wearing an ankle monitor and was in the presence of his surety at the time of the offence.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 453-2121, ext. 3504, Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS(8477) or visit peelcrimestoppers.ca.

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