On October 17, 2024, Detectives assigned to the 2 District (Niagara Falls/NOTL) Street Crime Unit concluded a firearms investigation which resulted in the arrest of a Niagara Falls resident after a brief foot pursuit.
As a result of the arrest, police seized a loaded 38 Special revolver (in possession of the male). The arrest was followed by the execution of two separate Criminal Code search warrants at a Niagara Falls residence and a hotel room.
A quantity of drugs was also seized including:
55 grams of fentanyl 2 grams of MDMA 223 grams of crystal methamphetamine 33 grams of cocaine
The street value of the drugs seized is estimated to be more than $11,000.
Detectives also seized 10 high end bicycles, a quantity of sports memorabilia, and a large quantity of cigarettes all suspected to be stolen property. Detectives have been able to locate the rightful owners to much of the recovered property. The $20,000 worth of sports memorabilia has been linked to a November 2023 commercial break and enter to Icon Autographs on Dorchester Road in Niagara Falls.
38-year-old Alan Richard Christensen and 35-year-old Tanya Jacqueline Gilchrist, both of Niagara Falls are each facing the following criminal charges:
Possession restricted weapon or prohibited firearm without holding a licence (2 Counts) Possession restricted weapon or prohibited firearm knowingly not holding a licence (2 Counts) Possession of loaded regulated firearm Careless storage of a firearm (2 Counts) Possession proceeds of crime over $5000 Possession of schedule 1 substance for the purpose of trafficking Fentanyl Possession of schedule 1 substance for the purpose of trafficking Cocaine Possession of schedule 1 substance for the purpose of trafficking Crystal Meth Possession of schedule 1 substance for the purpose of trafficking MDMA
In addition to the above charges Christensen was also charged with the Criminal Code offence of:
Possession of a firearm contrary to an order
Christensen and Gilchrist were both held in custody for a bail hearing on Friday October 18, 2024, at the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse in the City of St. Catharines. At the conclusion of the bail hearing, they were ordered held in custody where they remain.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the detectives with the Niagara Regional Police Service at 905-688-4111 , option 3, ext. 1002200.
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.
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