NRPS Auto Theft Investigation Leads to an Arrest and a Wanted Person - St. Catharines

On March 6, 2024, Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) Auto Theft Unit detectives began an investigation in relation to two individuals who planned the theft of a 2021 Audi RS Q8 Quattro sport utility vehicle from Audi Niagara.

Investigation revealed that two suspects contacted Audi Niagara, located on Lake Street, in the City of St. Catharines, to arrange a test drive of a 2021 Audi RS Q8 Quattro sport utility vehicle. The suspects presented the dealership staff with fraudulent identification and stole the vehicle during the test drive.

The ongoing investigation, conducted in collaboration with Peel Regional Police Service, York Regional Police Service, and the Ontario Provincial Police's Provincial Auto Theft & Towing Joint Forces Operation (P.A.T.T.), led to the identification of the suspects of the March 6th theft from Audi Niagara as Romeo CYR and Michel POTHEL.  The stolen vehicle was located in Toronto.  The investigation determined the suspects were also linked to violent car-jackings in the Peel Region (CYR) and York Region (POTHEL).

On April 19, 2024, Michel POTHEL (48 years old) of Terrebonne, Quebec was in custody on an unrelated matter.  He appeared before a judge at the Robert S. K. Welch Courthouse in St. Catharines and was arrested and charged with the following Criminal Code offences:

•            Theft of a motor vehicle

•            Fail to comply with probation order

POTHEL was remanded into custody.

An arrest warrant has been issued for Romeo CYR (21 years old) of La Pepiniere, Quebec.  He is wanted for the following Criminal Code offences:

•            Theft of a motor vehicle

•            Personation with intent

•            Obtain/Possess identity information for fraudulent

•            Utter forged document

CYR is described as:

•            White

•            5’10 tall

•            175lbs, slender

•            Brown hair

•            Blue eyes

Anyone who may see CYR or know his location are asked not to confront him but to call the police.

Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives with the Niagara Regional Police Service at 905-688-4111, option 3, ext. 1009677.

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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