NEWS RELEASE
NIAGARA REGIONAL POLICE SERVICE
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The Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) is investigating a robbery at a Niagara Falls hotel that involved weapons.
On Sunday, April 12, 2020 at approximately 5:15 p.m., 2 District – Niagara Falls uniform officers were called to a hotel in the area of and Beaverdams Road and Kalar Road regarding a robbery with a gun.
Officers attended the hotel and determined that three masked men attempted to force their way into a hotel room. The male victim in the room saw that one of the suspects was carrying a gun. The commotion caused other hotel guests to be alerted and the suspects ran from the scene. The victim was not physically injured.
The suspects jumped a nearby fence into the backyard of a neigbouring home. A second male victim was playing in the backyard with his children. As the second victim attempted to protect his children, one of the suspects slashed him with a knife. Another suspect pointed a gun at the second victim. The suspects fled the scene to an awaiting car. The victim was treated at the scene by paramedics from Niagara Emergency Medical Services. He was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Officers located the car in the area of Walnut Street and Ellen Avenue in Niagara Falls. The persons in the car were arrested and weapons were recovered.
The investigation subsequently led officers to another hotel in the area of Ellen Avenue and Walnut Street in Niagara Falls. Having received information that involved suspects were in a hotel room, the NRPS Emergency Task Unit, and Crisis Negotiators were called in to assist. After negotiating with the persons in the room, they agreed to surrender themselves to officers. The room is being held pending a search warrant.
As a result of the investigation four persons have been arrested and charged. A fifth person is wanted.
Carerinena Te (19-year-old female) of Niagara Falls is charged with the alleged criminal offences of:
- Robbery with firearm Sec. 344(1)(a) CC
- Possession of Scheduled 1 Substance (crystal methamphetamine) Sec. 4(1) CDSA
- Possession of a Weapon Sec. 88(1) CC
Erika Lynn Santha (32 years old) of Niagara Falls is charged with the alleged criminal offences of:
- Robbery with firearm Sec. 344(1)(a) CC
- Fail to comply with a release order Sec. 145(5)(a)
Donald Douglas Hilts (32 years old) of no fixed address is charged with the alleged criminal offences of:
- Robbery with firearm Sec. 344(1)(a) CC
- Disguised with intent Sec. 351(2) CC
- Assault with a Weapon Sec.267(a) CC]
Shaun Paul Christie (34 years old) of no fixed address is charged with the alleged criminal offences of:
- Robbery with Fifearm Sec. 344(1)(a) CC
- Disguise with intent Sec. 351(2) CC
- Possession of a Scheduled 1 Substance (crystal methamphetamine) Sec. 4(1) CDSA
- Possession of a Scheduled 1 Substance (opioid - fentanyl) Sec. 4(1) CDSA
- Possession of a Scheduled 1 Substance (cocaine) Sec. 4(1) CDSA
- Possession of a Weapon Sec. 88(1) CC]
Cameron Brenton Chiang (42 years old) of no fixed address is wanted for the alleged criminal offences of:
- Robbery with firearm Sec. 344(1)(a) CC
- Pointing a firearm Sec. 87(1) CC (2 Counts)
- Assault with a weapon Sec. 267(a) CC
- Possession of a weapon other than a restricted or prohibited firearm without holding a license 91(1)(6) CC
- Fail to comply with a release order Sec. 145(5)(a)
- Fail to comply with a probation order Sec. 733.1(1) (2 Counts)
Chiang should be considered armed and dangerous. Chiang's current location is unknown. Members of the public are asked to call the police if they see Chiang or know where he is. The public should not confront, approach or attempt to apprehend Chiang.
All of the arrested persons were held in custody prior to a video bail hearing on April 13, 2020.
The investigation remains ongoing by detectives from the 2 District detective office. Anyone with information relating to this matter is asked to contact detectives at 905-688-4111, ext. 9388.
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