On August 12, 2023, at 2:14am a 1 District (St. Catharines / Thorold) uniform officer with the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) was on patrol in downtown St. Catharines.
While on St. Paul Street at Queen Street the officer came across a van stopped in the westbound lane. The multiple occupants were suffering from exposure to a chemical irritant (similar to bear / dog spray). Niagara Emergency Medical Service paramedics were called to the scene. Five persons in the van were treated for exposure. Three of the five were transported to hospital for further assessment.
The initial investigation determined that the van was a ride share vehicle that had stopped in front of a pizza restaurant on St. Paul Street near Helliwell’s Lane to pick up a fare. The car behind the van took exception to the stop. The female driver of the car exited her car to have words with ride share driver. After a brief time both the van and car continued driving west on St. Paul Street. When the van stopped for the stop sign at Queen Street the car suddenly pulled up beside it and the male passenger pointed and sprayed the driver through an open window. The car then sped away.
The suspect vehicle is described as being a dark coloured 4 door sedan.
The driver of the suspect vehicle is described as:
White female Medium build Dark hair
She was wearing:
Black track suit with a white stripe on the arms and leg Light blue shirt White high tops with dark laces
The description of the suspect passenger is limited. He is a White male.
The investigation has been assigned to 1 District detectives. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the investigating officers by calling 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1009511.
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.
Click Here for Crime Stoppers Online
See photos.
23-89448