Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown is currently receiving police protection after threats were made against him and his family, according to Peel Regional Police.

Deputy Chief Nick Milinovich did not provide many details surrounding the threat while speaking to reporters on Tuesday, but he did confirm the protection detail was in place.

“We have received and are investigating a threat that was made not just against the mayor, but his family as well,” Milinovich said. “Because of the nature of that threat, we felt it was prudent, out of an abundance of caution, to supplement him with police security until that threat was investigated appropriately.”

Milinovich said the threat had come from somewhere in Canada.

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“The investigation is still ongoing. I believe that we are very close to being able to share additional details, but to share them at this point potentially could jeopardize the investigation. We will do that once we’re able to do that,” Milinovich explained.

He said the security the police service is providing was not out of the ordinary, given the circumstances.

“I think most police services would provide something very similar if they were equipped with the same information and risk assessment, outcomes that we were,” Milinovich said. “We want to make sure that somebody that’s here representing our community, and because of some of the stances that they’ve taken, is well protected and there’s no issues in relation to their safety and security while we’re conducting the investigation.”

Milinovich was speaking to reporters at a press conference announcing that Peel police had busted a ring of people who had been conducting home invasions.

The mayor was also on hand but also provided little insight into the nature of the threats as the investigation is ongoing. Brown did say that this was not the first time he had such issues.

“This is not the first time I’ve received a death threat,” said Brown, who was formerly an MPP and leader of the Progressive Conservative Party. “I did so a number of years ago. I’m sure it won’t be the last. And it certainly won’t change my approach.

“I certainly want my family to … be safe, and I believe they are. But it won’t change my approach to be outspoken about public safety and to do my job accordingly.”

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Peel Regional Police say they have broken up a violent gang of thieves which are allegedly connected to 16 home invasions, as well as number of other thefts in the area since last August.

Police launched Project Ghost last August after connecting a violent robbery with a pair of home invasions which occurred over a one-month span in Peel and Halton regions, according to Det. Jeff Chamula.

“The initial incident occurred on Aug. 1, 2024 at 2:45 a.m., when three suspects attempted to break into a home on Maybeck Drive in Brampton after targeting a BMW parked in the driveway,” he explained.

“The suspects fled in a white Acura after failing to gain entry to them. About 30 minutes later, the same suspects broke into a Boathouse Road home and demanded keys to a Mercedes-Benz.”

He went on to say that the victims handed over the keys but three people were still stabbed by the assailants, including one which was close to the heart. The suspects fled in the same vehicle during the second home invasion.

“On Sept. 10, the driver of a Lamborghini was shot and seriously injured in an attempted robbery in Mississauga,” Chamula said.

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“This project was able to link the shooting and home invasions to the same criminal group, and further identified over 10  other home invasions and jewelry thefts this organization was responsible for across Peel and Halton.

He said on June 5, a series of raids were conducted in Peel Region, Toronto and Waterloo, which eventually led to the arrest of 13 men and teens from Mississauga, Toronto and Brampton.

“Through various investigative techniques, several individuals have been identified as participating in this criminal organization with distinct roles ranging from researching residences to target with high end luxury vehicles, recruiting individuals to commit the robberies, providing direction on how to commit the robberies, and the selling of the stolen property,” Chamula said.

“As a result of this criminal organization, over $1.8 million of property was stolen, which includes high-end vehicles and jewelry.”

Police say those who were arrested range in age from 15 to 25, and are facing a combined 197 criminal charges connected to organized crime, robbery, attempted murder, firearms.

They say that about a third of the stolen goods have been recovered while officers also seized cell phones, laptops, a replica firearm, and a quantity of white powder believed to be cocaine.

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