NEWS RELEASE
NIAGARA REGIONAL POLICE
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On Tuesday June 30, 2020 2 District (Niagara Falls) uniform officers were called to a motel in the area of Kitchener St. and Slater Ave. In the City of Niagara Falls following the report of an altercation.
Investigation by officers with the 2 District Detective Office found that two males confronted a female in the parking lot with a firearm.
The males fled prior to police arrival. Detectives do not believe this was a random incident.
Further investigation revealed that the vehicle utilized was stolen from a St. Catharines home on June 26, 2020.
On July 1, 2020 detectives arrested one of the males allegedly involved in the incident.
19-year-old Matthew Lawrence Belisle of the City of Welland is facing the following charges:
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000 Sec. 355(a) CC
- Operation of a motor vehicle while prohibited Sec. 320.18 CC
- Point firearm Sec. 87(1) CC
- Disguise with intent Sec. 351(2) CC
- Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose Sec. 88(1) CC
- Attempt to commit an indictable offence/robbery Sec. 463(a) CC
- Utter threats Sec. 264.1(1)(a) CC
- Fail to comply with a release order, Sec. 145(5)(a) CC
- Fail to comply with a probabtion order (Three counts)
Belisle was held in custody pending a video bail hearing on Friday July 3, 2020 at the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse in the City of St. Catharines.
Detectives continue to search for the second male involved in this incident, identified as 36-year-old James Lippert.
Anyone with further information is asked to contact detectives at (905) 688-4111, dial option 3, Badge #9388 or CrimeStoppers at 1 (800) 222-TIPS.
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