On October 15th, 2023, Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) officers assigned to 1 District (St. Catharines / Thorold) responded to a residential address in the area of First Street Louth near Third Avenue Louth, in the City of St. Catharines regarding a belated theft from motor vehicle complaint.
Information was received that two vehicles were entered during the overnight hours of October 14th, 2023, and personal items were taken. One item in particular was a $3,500 Yves Saint Laurent purse that had an identifiable tag with a certificate of authenticity serial number.
On October 24th, 2023, a Yves Saint Laurent purse was listed for sale on Facebook Marketplace for $1,400. The seller posted images of the purse that included a certificate of authenticity serial number that matched the same Yves Saint Laurent purse that was reported stolen during the overnight hours on October 14th, 2023.
Detectives assigned to the 2 District (Niagara Falls / Niagara-on-the-Lake) Street Crime Unit began conversing in an undercover capacity with the suspect. On October 26th, 2023, the suspect agreed to sell the purse and to meet undercover detectives in a parking lot on Queen Street, in the City of Niagara Falls. When the suspect arrived with the stolen purse, he was placed under arrest.
James Roger MCGOWAN (39 years) of Niagara Falls has been arrested and charged with the following Criminal Code offences:
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000 for the Purpose of Trafficking
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000
• Fail to Comply with Probation Order (2 counts)
MCGOWAN remains in police custody at this time. He is scheduled to attend a bail hearing later today (October 27th, 2023) via video link to the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse, located at 59 Church Street in the City of St. Catharines.
Detectives have since returned the stolen purse to its rightful owner.
Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact the lead detective by dialing 905-688-4111, dial option #3, extension #1009483.
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.
Incident #23-120142