NEWS RELEASE
NIAGARA REGIONAL POLICE
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On Saturday, March 16, 2024, 2 District uniform officers with the assistance of 2 District Street Crime, 2 District detectives and the Traffic Enforcement Unit with the Niagara Regional Police Service, commenced an investigation into a stolen vehicle in the area of Elgin Street and Buttrey Street in the City of Niagara Falls.
At approximately 12 p.m., a traffic stop was conducted on a grey Chevrolet Cruz. Investigation revealed both the plates and vehicle to be stolen separately.
As a result, three males were arrested. Search incident to arrest led officers to locate and seize a loaded .38 cal Smith and Wesson revolver, approximately 80 grams of suspected carfentanil and additional ammunition of varying calibers. The estimated value of 80 grams of fentanyl is $6,000.
John McMullen (33 years old) of Hamilton, Ont. was arrested and charged with the following offences:
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000
- Possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000
- Unauthorized possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle
- Possession of a restricted or prohibited firearm knowingly not holding a licence
- Possession of a restricted or prohibited firearm without holding a licence
- Possession of a restricted firearm with ammunition
- Careless storage of a firearm
- Possession of a schedule I substance for trafficking
Ronald Vant (42 years old) of Welland, Ont. was arrested and charged with the following offences:
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000
- Possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000
- Unauthorized possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle
- Possession of a restricted or prohibited firearm knowingly not holding a licence
- Possession of a restricted or prohibited firearm without holding a licence
- Possession of a restricted firearm with ammunition
- Careless storage of a firearm
- Possession of a schedule I substance for trafficking
Andre Lafontaine (42 years old) of Niagara Falls, Ont. was arrested with the following offences:
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000
- Possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000
- Unauthorized possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle
- Possession of a restricted or prohibited firearm knowingly not holding a licence
- Possession of a restricted or prohibited firearm without holding a licence
- Possession of a restricted firearm with ammunition
- Careless storage of a firearm
- Possession of a schedule I substance for trafficking
All three males were held in custody pending a video bail hearing that was expected to take place on Sunday, March 17, 2024, at the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse, located at 59 Church St. in the City of St. Catharines.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the investigating officers by calling 905-688-4111, option 3, ext. 1009667.
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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