Update #1 – Suspect to Identify in Credit Card Fraud in Pelham

Detectives with the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) 3 District (Welland/Pelham) Criminal Investigative Branch (CIB) continue to investigate this incident. As a result of tips received from the public, detectives have located further commercial security footage of the suspect. The suspect was observed on Thursday, April 30, 2026, between 3:00 PM and 4:15 PM, at the Seaway Mall in Welland.

The suspect is described as follows:

•             Male

•             Black

•             Approximately 35 years-of-age

•             Medium Build

•             Medium-length dreadlocks

•             Goatee

The suspect was observed arriving in a white SUV, believed to be a Dodge Journey. The SUV has roof rails and a rear hatch with a sticker on the right-hand corner of the rear window. The vehicle has a broken cover on the right-hand corner of the front license plate, and damage to the rear passenger side door near the wheel well.

Detectives are requesting residents and businesses in the area of the incident review any video surveillance footage and contact the Niagara Regional Police Service if the suspect or suspect vehicle is observed.

Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact the Niagara Regional Police Service’s 3 District CIB (Welland/Pelham) at 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1009106.

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 26-49074

Original Media Release:

On Thursday, April 23, 2026, the uniformed officers with the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) 3 District (Welland/Pelham) responded to a fraud call in the town of Pelham.

The caller had indicated that they received a call from who they believed was their banking institution advising them that their credit cards had been compromised and suspicious charges had been made.  The caller advised the complainant that a courier would come to the house to pick up the credit cards, and a new card would be issued within one week.

A male showed up at the residence, collected the financial cards, and departed the area in a vehicle.

The complainant later realized that the incident was a scam and called police.

Detectives with the 3 District Criminal Investigations Bureau (CIB) took carriage of the investigation.  A suspect description was obtained along with security footage.

The suspect is described as follows.

•             Male

•             Black

•             Approximately 25–35 years of age

•             Medium build

•             Medium-length dreadlocks

•             Navy-blue three-quarter length shirt

•             Light-coloured dress shirt

•             Black pants

•             Black running shoes

•             His face was partially covered with a mask

The suspect was observed leaving in a white SUV, believed to be a Dodge Journey. The vehicle is described as having a long roofline with roof rails and a rear hatch, with a sticker or emblem located on the right-hand corner of the rear window.

Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact the Niagara Regional Police Service’s 3 District CIB (Welland/Pelham) at 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1009106.

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 26-49074