News

NRPS Launches Point of Sale Scam Intervention Program (POSSIP)

Every year scammers target Canadians, many here in Niagara.  The scams often target vulnerable victims.   In 2021, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre received 104,295 fraud reports from across Canada with associated losses in excess of $379,000,000.

Scammers often direct victims to retail stores to purchase cryptocurrency or gift cards.  The victims are under the impression that there is an emergency situation (e.g., Grandparent Scam) and they must provide money or payment to the scammer.  Scammers...

St. Catharines Detectives Are Investigating a Shooting Incident

On May 31, 2022, 1 District (St. Catharines / Thorold) uniform officers from the Niagara Regional Police Service responded to a residence in St. Catharines for a belated shooting incident.

Officers attended the home on Vansickle Road near McCaffrey Crescent.  Officers were directed to damage on the house and two cars on the property. 

1 District St. Catharines detectives have been assigned to the investigation.  Forensic examination conducted by detectives from the Forensic Services Unit have...

Gift Card Scammers Target Niagara Falls Couple

The Niagara Regional Police Service Central Fraud Unit is investigating after an elderly couple from Niagara Falls became victims to a gift card fraud scam.

The initial investigation has determined that on May 12, 2022, the suspects made contact with the victims through a “pop up” on their computer.  The scammers then contacted the victims by telephone.  The victims were tricked into believing that they were communicating with their bank.  The victims were directed to make payments using gift...

Welland Detectives Investigating Commercial Break and Enters – Update 1 – ARREST

As a result of the ongoing police investigation into this matter by the Welland Street Crime Unit a suspect was identified. 

The suspect was also linked to three break and enter attempts in Welland. Two at a church on Niagara Street near Locust Street on May 14th and 15th and one at an apartment building on Niagara Street near West Main Street on May 13, 2022.

On May 18, 2022, detectives arrested the suspect in Welland. At the time of his arrest property related to the break and enter to the hair...

MISSING PERSON – NRPS Searching for 81-Year-Old Man in St. Catharines

The Niagara Regional Police Service is presently searching for 81-year-old Charles “Chuck” William Woods in St. Catharines.

On May 14, 2022, at approximately 12:30PM, 1 District St. Catharines uniform officers were contacted by Wood’s family to report him missing.

Woods was last seen on May 13, 2022, at approximately 7:30PM at his residence in the area of Ontario Street and Welland Avenue in St. Catharines.  Woods drove away in a red 2021 Hyundai Venue with a black roof, (Ontario licence plate...