St. Catharines Man Charged in Counterfeit Operation

On April 2, 2026, detectives with the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) 3 District (Welland/Pelham) Criminal Investigations Bureau (CIB) became involved in an investigation surrounding the use of counterfeit money used in an online buy and sell platform.

On March 30, 2026, the victim and the suspect agreed to meet at a Welland area coffee shop to complete the sale of a used cell phone.  The suspect paid in cash consisting of various Canadian currency denominations.  A couple of days later, the victim realized that the cash used by the suspect was counterfeit.

Detectives were able to identify and verify the suspect’s identification and his St. Catharines residence address.  A judicial authorization to enter that residence (search warrant) was granted.  On April 7, 2026, detectives executed the warrant and discovered over $8000 in suspected counterfeit Canadian currency along with materials consistent with the making of counterfeit currency.  A quantity of suspected illegal drugs (crystal methamphetamine) was also seized.

36-year-old Eric ROCKWELL, of St. Catharines has been arrested and charged with the following offences.

• Uttering, Using or Exporting Money
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000
• Fail to Comply with Release Order x 2
• Making Counterfeit Money
• Possession of Counterfeit Money
• Possession of a Schedule 1 Substance (Crystal Methamphetamine)

ROCKWELL remains in custody and is scheduled to attend a bail hearing Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse, located at 59 Church Street in St. Catharines.

Detectives believe that ROCKWELL has uttered counterfeit money prior to this transaction and believe that there may be more victims.  They are asking for anyone who thinks they have been the victim of ROCKWELL’s transactions to contact them.

Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact the Niagara Regional Police Service’s 3 District (Welland/Pelham) CIB at 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1008980.

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 26-39139