Three youth have been arrested following a string of armed robberies at food businesses across Pickering and Whitby, according to the Durham Regional Police Service.
The arrests conclude an investigation known as Project Burke, which looked into robberies occurring between February 20 and March 7, 2026. The targeted locations included Pizza Pizza in Pickering, which was hit twice, as well as B Boyz Burger in Pickering and Little Caesars in Whitby. In incidents at B Boyz Burger and Little Caesars, staff members were threatened with a knife while cash was taken from the registers.
On March 24, 2026, police located the first suspect at a high school in Pickering and took him into custody without incident. The two other suspects were arrested later that same evening. The three males, aged 14, 15, and 17, were all held for bail hearings following their arrests.
A 17‑year‑old from Pickering faces the most serious charges, including multiple counts of robbery, disguise with intent, and property‑related offenses. Under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, which governs legal proceedings for offenders aged 12 to 17, there are specific restrictions regarding the publication of the identities of young people involved in the justice system.
This series of robberies follows a similar pattern identified in Clarington and Bowmanville between December 2025 and January 2026, where a 15‑year‑old was charged with armed robberies at local businesses. According to the 2024 Annual Report from the regional police, violent and property crimes are among the key challenges threatening community safety across the region.
