Thorold House Fire Takes A Life

It was 2:57 a.m. yesterday, when the Niagara Regional Police and Thorold Fire Department were called to a house fire on Richmond Street near Cleveland Street in Thorold.

Police arrived within minutes to find the home engulfed in flames and smoke billowing out of the windows. Police and Fire personnel attempted to enter the home and made the discovery of a 39-year-old adult male lying on the floor inside the doorway. He was pronounced dead a short time later by the attending coroner. A dog was also found deceased inside the residence.

An autopsy has been scheduled and the cause of the fire is being investigated by the Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal. The identity of the deceased is being withheld at the request of the family of the victim.

Port Colborne Cottage Break Ins

Yesterday around 11:50 pm, Police were contacted regarding a suspicious vehicle. Upon arrival police observed the vehicle and initiated a traffic stop. The vehicle pulled over to the side of the roadway at which time the driver and front passenger took off on foot to evade police, a third passenger remained in the vehicle.

Uniform officers, with the assistance of the Canine unit, located and arrested the two parties that had fled on foot. An investigation revealed that the suspicious vehicle and the occupants were involved in breaking into cottages in the area.

One adult and two youths were arrested and charged. 18 year old Joshua Cote has been charged with break and enter, attempt to commit an indictable offense and two counts of failing to comply with his probation order. The youths arrested cannot be named under the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice System.

Police are genuinely appreciative for the proactive support provided by the Port Colborne cottage area community for assisting in this matter. Members of the public are also encouraged to contact police to curtail any future Community based problems.

The Book Depot Internal Theft

Between June and December of 2007, The Book Depot noticed a significant decline in cash sales occurring at the store on Welland Avenue in St. Catharines. After an internal audit was completed, it was revealed that $70,000.00 in cash sales were suspiciously unaccounted for.

As a result to a police investigation, 43 year old Kerry-Anne Leclerc and Lynn Matthews, 39, are jointly charged with one count of Theft Over $5000.00, Contrary to S. 334(a) of the Criminal Code of Canada.

Port Colborne Youth Hit By Car

On Friday, Port Colborne Fire Dept, Niagara EMS, and Niagara Regional Police responded to the intersection of Elm and Kent Street’s, after a 10 year old boy was struck by a north bound vehicle while crossing Elm Street.

The youth was hurrying to get home when he stepped into the path of the north bound vehicle driven by a 19 year old Port Colborne resident. The driver of the vehicle attempted to stop but icy road conditions caused his vehicle to slide and strike the pedestrian.

The child fell in front of the vehicle, at which point, the same weather conditions which were a factor in causing the accident, appear to have played a part in saving the child’s life.
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Double Robbery In Welland

Yesterday, at 7:40pm, a male entered the Denistoun Variety Store in Welland and demanded cigarettes and cash. He was scared off by a customer entering the store.

Ten minutes later, the same male entered Petch Mini Variety on Hellems Street and demanded cash from the cashier, then fled the store with an undisclosed amount.

Welland uniform patrol officers identified the male and located him at the intersection of King and Division Streets. Charged with two counts of Robbery is Nicholas Iudiciani of no fixed abode.

Youths Charged In Beamsville

This morning, around 12:40 a.m., police were called to Senator Gibson Elementary School in Beamsville regarding the sound of smashing glass. As officers arrived, three youths fled the scene through the nearby fields and after a brief foot-chase the youths were captured. Six plate glass windows were found to be smashed out at the school. The youths, who cannot be identified under the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act, were all charged with Mischief Under $5,000. They were released into the custody of their parents.

Allanburg Bridge Closure

The Allanburg Bridge on Regional Road 20 will be closed this Friday for the installation of machinery. According to the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation, no vehicles will be permitted to cross the bridge between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m.

Also see: Allanburg Bridge Disaster

Stolen SUV in Beamsville

42-year-old Fredrick Alan Rathbone of no fixed address remains in police custody after he stole a 2000 Mercedes Sport Utility Vehicle from a residence in Beamsville on February 26th.
Credit cards and $10,000 worth of jewelry were also stolen at that time.

On March 4th, the stolen vehicle was recovered followed by the arrest of Rathbone in St. Catharines. The SUV sustained approximately $5,000 damage prior to being recovered, and police were able to fully recover the missing jewelry.

Rathbone is facing charges of Theft of Auto Over $5,000 contrary to section 334(a) of the Criminal Code of Canada and Theft of a Credit Card contrary to section 342(1)(a) of the Criminal Code of Canada. Rathbone remains in police custody pending a Bail Hearing in St. Catharines as police continue to investigate several instances of fraudulent use of the credit card.

Motel Fire Claims The Life Of A Man And His Dog

The room where a Niagara Falls man died of smoke inhalation last week did not have a working smoke alarm.

The body of the 47-year-old man was discovered Friday afternoon at the Regency Motel on Mountain Road.

Fire officials say the man, who lived at the motel, had likely been dead for several days.

“There was clear evidence there had been a fire in the room, but the fire had extinguished itself,” said Brian Dickson, an inspector with the Niagara Falls Fire Department.

The fire was contained to the bed and surrounding area. Inspectors say careless smoking is the case of the fatal fire.

“The man’s companion, a big Labrador retriever cross, was also found dead in the room,” Dickson added.

The man’s death occurred just days before a house fire in Hamilton claimed the lives of five people, including a mother and her three young children.

Continue the article at the Welland Tribune website

Search Warrant Takedown

On Friday, eleven people were arrested after a very in-depth investigation by Detectives. Police executed Controlled Drugs and Substance Act search warrants at a Welland pizza establishment, five Welland residences and one Port Colborne residence.

Eight of the eleven persons are currently facing Criminal Charges in relation to the search warrants:

• 40-year-old John Hibbert of Balmoral Avenue, Welland. Hibbert is charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance and breach of probation.

• 45-year-old Karl Nelson of King Street, Welland. Nelson is charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking, and Possession of a Controlled Substance.

• 24-year-old Joshua Hyndman of Dain Avenue, Welland. Hyndman is charged with 2 counts of Possession of a prohibited weapon and Possession of a Controlled substance.
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