News

Throughout August 2025, Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) detectives assigned to 2 District (Niagara Falls/Niagara-on-the-Lake) Street Crime Unit commenced an investigation into the distribution of illegal drugs.

On Tuesday, August 26, 2025, with the assistance of 3 District (Welland/Pelham) Street Crime Unit and the Emergency Task Unit, detectives received judicial authorization to execute a Controlled Drugs and Substances Act search warrant at a residence in Welland and two associated vehicles.

On Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at approximately 4:25 p.m., uniformed officers from the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) 6 District (Port Colborne/Wainfleet) responded to reports of a single motor vehicle collision on Burnaby Road between Highway 3 and Lakeshore Road in Wainfleet.

Upon arrival, officers located a heavily damaged black 2017 Kia Sportage overturned in the east-side ditch. Both occupants were trapped inside the vehicle.

According to witness accounts, the Kia had been travelling northbound on Burnaby Road at a high rate of speed when it lost control. No other vehicles were involved.

St. Catharines, ON - The Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) is requesting assistance from the public in locating a suspect involved in a historical sexual assault investigation.

In July of 2025, Detectives with the NRPS Sexual Assault Unit (SAU) and Child Abuse Unit (CAU) became involved in an investigation in which a female youth victim was sexually abused by an adult male known to her.

As a result of the investigation, a suspect has been identified as Charlie RYAN, 20 years old, of St. Catharines, Ontario.  RYAN is accused of Sexual Assault and Sexual Interference.  RYAN’s whereabouts are currently unknown and CAU Detectives are asking for the public’s assistance in locating him.

In May of 2025, detectives from the Niagara Regional Police Service's (NRPS) Internet Child Exploitation Unit (ICE) commenced an investigation into the historical sexual exploitation of children.

The investigation, which involved child sexual abuse material (CSAM), led to the identification of a suspect. Further inquiries revealed additional evidence and multiple victims, with offences dating back to 2007.

Working alongside the NRPS Technological Crimes Unit, ICE detectives conducted a joint investigation that resulted in the arrest of two individuals:

• Justin Murray Wayne LEE, 49 years, of Welland, Ontario
• Thalia Rachelle HISCOE, 49 years, of Wallaceburg, Ontario

On Monday, August 25, 2025, at approximately 1:35 p.m. uniform members of the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) assigned to 1 District (St. Catharines/Thorold) responded to the area of Queen Street and Welland Avenue in the City of St. Catharines for a wanted person call.

As a result of the investigation, wanted party, Rebecca DAIGNEAULT, a 37-year-old female resident of St. Catharines, was arrested and charged with the following criminal offences:

• Fail to Comply with Probation Order
• Attempted Murder
• Break Enter and Commit an Indictable Offence

Detectives with the Collision Reconstruction Unit continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding a fatal accident that claimed the life of a 53-year-old Pelham resident. Detectives would like to thank members of the community for their assistance in helping to identify the driver and vehicle involved in this incident.

This investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with relevant information is asked to contact police at 905-688-4111, dial option 3, extension 1009569.

Members of the community 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 people who contact the program with information which leads to an arrest.

On Sunday, August 24, 2025, at approximately 11:00 p.m. uniform members of the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) assigned to 3 District (Welland/Pelham) responded to the area of Niagara Street and Roger Drive in Welland for a reported for a motor vehicle collision involving a pedestrian.

The initial investigation determined that a silver Honda Civic was travelling south bound on Niagara Street when a collision with a pedestrian occurred. Tragically, the 73-year-old male pedestrian succumbed to his injuries.

On Saturday, August 23, 2025, at approximately 8:30 p.m. uniform members of the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) assigned to 1 District (St. Catharines/Thorold) responded to the area of Vine Street and Holden Street in the City of St. Catharines following reports of an assault.

The initial investigation determined that a male youth was walking on Vine Street near Holden Street when three male suspects exited a smaller, black SUV that had been parked on Holden Street. One of the suspects armed with a baseball bat, assaulted the victim until he fell to the ground and lost consciousness. The suspects then fled the scene in the SUV, last observed travelling northbound toward Carlton Street.

On Tuesday, August 19, 2025, detectives from the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit and the Child Abuse Unit (CAU), commenced an investigation into the online luring of a minor. Through the course of the investigation, the suspect is alleged to have knowingly engaged in communications for a sexual purpose with a young person under the age of 14.

On Friday, August 22, 2025, detectives from the NRPS ICE Unit arrested 49-year-old Steven Albert VENDITELLO of Lincoln for the following Criminal Code offences:

• Luring a Child via Telecommunication to Facilitate Sexual Interference

The Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) are warning members of the community to remain vigilant as fraudsters continue to carry out the “Grandparent Scam.”

In this scam, suspects typically contact elderly victims by telephone, posing as a grandchild or another family member. The caller claims to be in urgent legal trouble, often involving a motor vehicle collision or criminal charges, and requests immediate financial assistance. In some cases, a second individual posing as a police officer, lawyer, or legal official will join the call to reinforce the deception.