NEWS RELEASE
NIAGARA REGIONAL POLICE
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Detectives from 3 District (Welland / Pelham) and 1 District (St. Catharines / Thorold) offices of the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) have been investigating two gun related incidents in Niagara.
On Oct. 20, 2023 at 3:18 a.m., Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) officers assigned to 6 District (Port Colborne / Wainfleet) responded to a robbery that just occurred at a 24-hour convenience store located on Regional Road 24 near Regional Road 27 in the Township of Wainfleet.
Upon arrival, officers spoke with the employee who indicated a lone male suspect entered the store brandishing a handgun. The suspect demanded currency and cigarettes. A single shot was fired by the suspect into the ceiling of the store. The employee did not receive any physical injuries. The suspect fled the scene prior to police arrival.
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 because of the attempted robbery.
The subsequent investigation by detectives resulted in a suspect being identified.
On Oct. 31, 2023 at 1:25 a.m., detectives observed a car associated to the suspect in the area of Glendale Avenue and Taylor Road in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Officers located the car in the area of Cole Crescent abandoned in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Further investigation determined that the suspect had entered a nearby home. Officers converged on the home and contained it. A NRPS crisis negotiator was able to communicate with the suspect who surrendered himself to officers and was arrested at 4:13 a.m.
Christian Adam Edmunds (28 years) of Niagara-on-the-Lake has been arrested and charged with the Criminal Code offences of:
• Robbery using a restricted firearm (two counts)
• Disguise with intent (two counts)
• Possession of firearm in motor vehicle (two counts)
• Point firearm (two counts)
• Possession of a restricted firearm with ammunition
• Possession of firearm, weapon, or ammunition contrary to prohibition order (nine counts)
Further charges are anticipated. On Oct. 31, 2023, Edmunds attended a video bail hearing to the Robert S. K. Welch Courthouse in St. Catharines where he was ordered held in custody.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the investigating officers by calling 905-688-4111, option 3, ext. 1008393.
Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously can 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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