NEWS RELEASE
NIAGARA REGIONAL POLICE
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On Oct. 30, 2023 at 8:34 a.m., Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) officers assigned to 1 District (St. Catharines / Thorold) responded to an armed robbery attempt at Enterprise Rent-A-Car located on Lake Street north of Scott Street, in the City of St. Catharines.
Upon arrival, officers learned that the suspect had entered the premise armed with a black handgun. He made a demand to the store employee for the keys to a rental vehicle. When the keys were not provided, the suspect fled the store on foot. The store employee did not receive any physical injuries as a result of the confrontation.
Given the involvement of a firearm and the immediate concern for public safety, a shelter-in-place was issued for the Lake Street / Scott Street area. This included two schools, William Hamilton Merritt (DSBN) and Eden High School (DSBN). A Child’s World daycare, located on Scott Street was also directed to shelter-in-place.
Numerous NRPS resources were deployed to the area to assist 1 District uniform patrol officers, including members from the Emergency Task Unit, Marine Unit, Canine Unit, and Traffic Enforcement Unit. Detectives assigned to the 1 District Criminal Investigative Branch are on-scene and have assumed carriage of the investigation.
The suspect is described as follows:
• Male
• White
• Appx 6’0” tall
• Medium build
The suspect was last seen wearing:
• Black hoody
• Black pants
• Red bandana with a white pattern (worn on his face)
• Sunglasses
• Black leather shoes
After an extensive search of the area the shelter-in-place was lifted at 9:22 a.m. Area residents and employees at local businesses are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious persons who match the suspect description.
Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to contact the lead detective by dialling 905-688-4111, option 3, ext. 1009628.
Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously are encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to persons who contact the program with information which leads to an arrest.
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