Toronto Police Service arrested eight people and recovered a loaded AR‑15‑style rifle, master keys and electronic programming devices during a raid in Regent Park on Aug. 23, 2026, at about 10:30 p.m.
The operation resulted in the detention of four youths and three girls among the eight suspects taken into custody. Police said the individuals were linked to an ongoing stolen‑vehicle investigation in the city’s east end. All eight were booked following the early‑evening raid.
Authorities also seized a loaded AR‑15‑style rifle, a set of master keys commonly used to bypass vehicle locks, and electronic devices capable of reprogramming ignition systems. The firearms and equipment were described as illegal and were taken to a secure evidence facility for further analysis.
The seizure forms part of a broader police probe that began with a stolen‑vehicle case in Toronto’s east end earlier this year. Detectives have indicated that the weapons haul was uncovered while following leads tied to the vehicle thefts. The investigation remains active, and police have not released further details about additional suspects or potential charges.
Police spokesperson said the discovery of a loaded assault‑style rifle in a residential neighbourhood underscores the seriousness of illegal firearms trafficking in Toronto. The department emphasized that the ongoing investigation will continue to target networks that facilitate the movement of stolen vehicles and related weaponry.
The master keys recovered are designed to open a range of vehicle models, while the electronic programming devices can alter a car’s immobilizer code, allowing a stolen vehicle to be started after the original key is removed. Police indicated that the combination of these tools with the assault rifle points to an organized effort to equip thieves with both firearms and the means to bypass modern vehicle security.
Authorities have not disclosed whether any additional arrests are expected, but the operation demonstrates the police service’s focus on disrupting criminal networks that intersect vehicle theft and illegal gun possession.