Collision Involving a Stolen Vehicle that Fled from Police Leads to Arrest of Male

St. Catharines – On January 29, 2026, at approximately 1:10 PM a uniformed officer with the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) 1 District (St. Catharines/Thorold) observed a stolen motor vehicle being driven near Court Street and King Street in the city of St. Catharines.  A traffic stop was initiated; the suspect fled and immediately hit another motor vehicle.

The suspect from the stolen vehicle fled on foot and was arrested after a brief foot pursuit.  That suspect was found to be in possession of a loaded handgun, a quantity of suspected cocaine and other property indicative of drug trafficking. 

The driver of the motor vehicle that was hit by the fleeing suspect sustained minor injuries and was treated in hospital.  There were no other occupants in either motor vehicle.

Court Street was closed between King Street and St. Paul Street for the investigation but has since reopened.

26-year-old, Braeden TABBERT, of Welland has been arrested and charged with the following 17 offences.

• Flight from Police
• Assault Peace Officer
• Possession of Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000
• Fail to Remain at the Scene of an Accident
• Carry Firearm in a Careless Manner
• Possession of a Weapon
• Carrying a Concealed Weapon, Prohibited Device or Ammunition
• Possess Firearm without Holding a Licence
• Possess Restricted or Prohibited Firearm Knowingly Not Hold a Licence
• Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm in a Motor Vehicle
• Possess Loaded Regulated Firearm
• Possess Firearm Weapon or Ammunition Contrary to Prohibition Order
• Dangerous Operation of a Conveyance
• Possession of Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000
• Traffic in Schedule 1 Substance
• Driving While Under Suspension
• Drive Motor Vehicle – Fail to Display Two Plates

TABBERT remains in custody and is scheduled to attend a bail hearing Friday, January 30, 2026, at the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse, located at 59 Church Street in St. Catharines.

Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact the Niagara Regional Police Service’s 1 District (St. Catharines/Thorold) Criminal Investigations Bureau (CIB) at 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1009011.

Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously are encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to persons who contact the program with information that leads to an arrest.

NRPS Incident 26-11854