On Friday, July 18, 2025, 82-year-old Larry Pearce of St. Catharines succumbed to injuries in hospital.
As a result, detectives with the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) Homicide Unit have assumed carriage of the investigation.
Through further investigation, detectives have determined that Mr. Pearce arrived alone at Charles Daley Park in his vehicle at approximately 9:00 a.m. and remained at the Park until approximately 9:40 a.m. At that time he was believed to be exiting the park in his vehicle when, near the front entrance, he stopped and engaged in an interaction with unknown suspect(s).
During this encounter, the victim exited his vehicle, at which point the suspect(s) entered and took control of it. Mr. Pearce stood in front of the vehicle in an attempt to prevent the suspect(s) from fleeing. During this confrontation, he fell to the ground, and the suspect(s) fled the area in his vehicle.
The vehicle was last seen entering the QEW Niagara-bound from Seventh Street at approximately 9:44 a.m. and remains outstanding.
Detectives are appealing to members of the public for assistance in locating the victim’s vehicle and gathering information that may aid in the investigation. Anyone who witnessed the incident or may have dashcam, cellphone, or surveillance footage recorded between 9:35 a.m. and 9:45 a.m. on the date of the incident is urged to come forward.
Police are also looking to speak with anyone who attended the park Thursday morning between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.
Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives at 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1009450. Those who wish to remain anonymous can provide information through Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards for information that leads to an arrest.
ORIGINAL RELEASE – Police Investigating Incident at Charles Daley Park in Lincoln
On Thursday, July 17, 2025, at approximately 9:45 a.m. uniform members of the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) assigned to 8 District (Grimsby/Lincoln/West Lincoln) responded to Charles Daley Park located at 1955 North Service Road in the Town of Lincoln for a hit and run motor vehicle accident.
The initial investigation revealed that a collision occurred between a vehicle and a pedestrian in the parking lot of the park. The unknown driver and vehicle left the area without stopping. The vehicle was last seen driving eastbound on North Service Road.
The pedestrian that was struck was transported to an out-of-region hospital in critical condition. The pedestrian’s vehicle, a 2012 Silver Honda CRV with Ontario license plate 24FS30, is unaccounted for.
Detectives assigned to the NRPS Collision Reconstruction Unit have assumed carriage of the motor vehicle collision investigation. Detectives assigned to the NRPS 8 District Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) have assumed carriage of the outstanding vehicle investigation. Both investigative teams are working collaboratively and are receiving support from detectives with the NRPS Forensic Services Unit (FSU).
Detectives are seeking witnesses and any available video footage related to the incident. Members of the community are asked to review any dashcam, cell phone, or surveillance footage recorded between 9:00 a.m. and 9:45 a.m. and to contact investigators if anything relevant is captured.
Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives at 905-688-4111, dial option 3, extension 1008342.
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.
#25-78032