@TorontoPolice News Conference LiveStream | Project Yankee | Wednesday, June 18th, 2025 скачать в хорошем качестве

@TorontoPolice News Conference LiveStream | Project Yankee | Wednesday, June 18th, 2025

On Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. in the Media Gallery at TPS Headquarters, the Toronto Police Service announced the results of 'Project Yankee', a tow truck wiretap investigation. The Toronto Police Service in partnership with Durham Regional Police Service, York Regional Police and the Ontario Provincial Police, has arrested 20 people and laid more than 100 criminal charges in connection with violence in the towing industry. Ten individuals have been charged with multiple counts of conspiracy to commit murder. The successful completion of this investigation was made possible through funding provided by the Ontario Government, Ministry of the Solicitor General in which the Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario supported this Joint Forces investigation. Beginning in early 2023, the City of Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area experienced a sharp escalation in violence linked to individuals and groups vying for control of the towing industry. That violence included homicides, shootings, arsons, intimidation, and extortion. In 2024, 63 shooting and firearm discharge incidents were linked to tow truck-related disputes, accounting for almost 13 per cent of all shootings and firearm discharges in Toronto. So far in 2025, these incidents have continued to occur, currently accounting for approximately 15 per cent of the total. In October 2024, the Toronto Police Integrated Gun and Gang Task Force - Major Projects Section launched an investigation dubbed "Project Yankee". It focused on a group of individuals who referred to themselves as "The Union". The group was believed to be responsible for numerous acts of violence intended to gain control over the towing industry. This violence was focused on the east side of Toronto and into the Durham and York Regions. Project Yankee subsequently led to a wiretap investigation targeting individuals associated with "The Union" and its members. Over the course of the investigation, police gathered evidence identifying them as a criminal organization responsible for multiple acts of violence, intimidation and extortion. Several acts of violence on a mass scale were deterred and prevented as a result. As a result of the wiretap investigation, numerous members of "The Union" are now facing charges related to directing and participating in the activities of a criminal organization, along with multiple conspiracies to commit first-degree murder. The project concluded on June 11, 2025, with the execution of 14 search warrants and the arrest of nine individuals. In total, Project Yankee has resulted in the seizure of two firearms, four vehicles, the arrest of 20 individuals, and the laying of more than 100 Criminal Code charges. These include charges of conspiracy to commit murder, participation in and direction of a criminal organization, and arson - all connected to efforts to dominate the towing industry. Due to a court-imposed publication ban, the Toronto Police Service is unable to provide further details related to this investigation. Highlights of Project Yankee: 20 people arrested 111 charges laid, including 52 counts of Conspiracy to Commit Murder 14 search warrants executed 2 guns seized (images released) 4 vehicles seized (image released)