Detectives Investigating Arson in St. Catharines – Update 2

Detectives with the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) 1 District (St Catharines/Thorold) Criminal Investigative Bureau (CIB) are appealing to the public for information regarding an arson that took place one year ago on September 12, 2024.

Detectives continue to investigate the circumstances of the fire which took place at a business on the corner of Lock Street and Lakeport Road in the City of St Catharines. The business has not reopened, and the suspects remain unidentified at this time.

Detectives are requesting that anyone with information related to this incident contact police at (905) 688-4111, option 3, extension 1009711.

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.

#24-102492

Update 1 – September 16, 2024

1 District Detectives (St. Catharines/Thorold) with the Niagara Regional Police Service are continuing to investigate the alleged arson that took place on September 12, 2024, at approximately 3:22am, in the area of Lock Street and Lakeport Road in the City of St. Catharines.

As a result of the investigation, detectives have determined that the suspect vehicle was last seen travelling north on Lakeport Road passing in front of Castillo Shawarma, through the intersection of Lakeport Road and Lock Street.

The suspect vehicle stopped at the intersection of Main Street and Lock Street then travelled north and stopped at the corner of Dalhousie Avenue and Lock Street. At this time, two suspects exited the vehicle, walked southbound on Lock Street and the driver remained with the vehicle.

One of the two suspects that exited the vehicle was observed carrying a red jerry gas can and both suspects are observed walking on the crosswalk from Lock Street to Lakeport Road to Castillo Shawarma and setting it on fire.

All three suspects got back into the vehicle and fled southwest on Dalhousie Avenue.

The suspect vehicle is described as:

• 4 Door Sedan
• Mat black or dark grey in color
• HID (High-Intensity Discharge) front head lights
• The instrument panel on the interior of the vehicle was illuminated in blue lights

Suspect 1 Male wearing:

• Light-coloured baseball cap
• Long black sleeve top
• Black track pants
• Flip flop sandals

Suspect 2 Male:

• Thin build
• Over 6’ tall
• Tan skinned
• Gray jacket with black sleeves
• Black pants
• Black basketball shoes with grey and white soles
• Black mask
• Hood on his head
• Carrying the red jerry can

Suspect 3 Male:

• Light skinned
• Thin build
• Black jacket
• Black track pants
• Black running shoes
• Black mask
• Hood on his head

There was no one in the restaurant at the time of the incident.

Detectives believe that the suspects may have attended a gas station prior to the incident and are requesting assistance from businesses to review their cameras for footage in the hours leading up to the incident.

Detectives have determined that there were witnesses and vehicles in the area at the time of the incident. Detectives are looking to speak to these witnesses.

This appears to be a targeted incident.

Anyone who may have been in the area, anyone who may have information or anyone who may have video surveillance or dash cam footage, are asked to contact detectives at 905-688-4111, option 3, ext. 1009964.

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.

#24-102492

Original Release – September 12, 2024

On Thursday, September 12th, 2024, at approximately 3:22am, 1 District (St. Catharines/Thorold) uniform officers with the Niagara Regional Police Service attended the area of Lock Street and Lakeport Road in the City of St. Catharines in response to a fire call.

The St. Catharines Fire Department and officers arrived on scene and investigation revealed that two unknown suspects approached a restaurant at this location and set it on fire. The suspects were last seen running North on Lock Street, then proceeded to get in a black sedan at the intersection of Lock Street and Dalhousie Avenue. The vehicle continued southwest on Dalhousie Avenue.

Detectives have taken carriage of the investigation.

Anyone who may have been in the area, anyone who may have information or anyone who may have video surveillance or dash cam footage, are asked to contact detectives at 905-688-4111, option 3, ext. 1009964.

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.

#24-102492