On Saturday, August 30, 2025, at approximately 6:20 p.m. uniform members of the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) assigned to 3 District (Welland/Pelham) responded to a residential address in the area of Rice Road and Woodlawn Road in the City of Welland.
The initial investigation determined that two suspects attended a residence and engaged in a verbal disagreement with a known individual. During the disagreement threatening remarks were made, and a firearm was reportedly presented.
Detectives with the 3 District Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) took carriage of the investigation. Working in collaboration with detectives from the 1 District (St. Catharines/Thorold), 2 District (Niagara Falls/Niagara-on-the-Lake), and 3 District (Welland/Pelham) Street Crime Units, both suspects were identified.
On Thursday, September 4, 2025, detectives with the 1 District Street Crime Unit (SCU) observed one of the suspects in St. Catharines, which led investigators to a residence on Melody Lane in Welland. With the assistance of the K9 Unit, 3 District CIB, and 3 District Uniform Patrol, the residence was contained.
Shortly thereafter, members of the 1 District SCU engaged in a brief foot pursuit, resulting in the arrest of both suspects.
On Friday, September 5, 2025, 1 District Street Crime detectives obtained judicial authorization to execute a Controlled Drugs and Substances Act search warrant at the Melody Lane residence. As a result of the investigation detectives seized the following:
A loaded GSG 16 MP 5 Sub Machine Gun $24,685 in Canadian Currency 776.9 grams of suspected fentanyl (Value: $150,000.00) Brass knuckles Bear mace
Isaac LUCAS, (20 years) of St. Catharines, has been arrested and charged with the following criminal offences:
Fail to Comply with Probation Order (two counts) Possession of a Firearm Contrary to Prohibition Order Assault with a Weapon Uttering Threats Possession of a Weapon Tampering with Serial Number of a Firearm Possession of a Prohibited Device or Ammunition Possess Restricted or Prohibited Firearm without Holding a License Unauthorized Possession of Prohibited Device or Ammunition Possess Prohibited or Restricted Weapon Knowingly Not Holding a License Careless Storage of a Firearm Possess Loaded Regulated Firearm Possession of a Schedule I Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking (Fentanyl) Possession of Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime over $5000
The second suspect, a young person as defined by the Youth Criminal Justice Act, was arrested and charged with the following criminal offences:
Fail to Comply with Undertaking Possession of a Weapon Unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited or Restricted Weapon Tampering with Serial Number of a Firearm Possession of a Prohibited Device or Ammunition Possess Restricted or Prohibited Firearm without Holding a License Unauthorized Possession of Prohibited Device or Ammunition Possess Prohibited or Restricted Weapon Knowingly Not Holding a License Careless Storage of a Firearm Possess Loaded Regulated Firearm Possession of a Schedule I Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking (Fentanyl) Possession of Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime over $5000 Mischief Under $5000
The regulations of the Youth Criminal Justice Act of Canada prohibit the Niagara Regional Police Service from releasing the identity of a young person (under 18 years) charged with a criminal offence.
Both LUCAS and the young person attended a bail hearing on Friday, September 5, 2025, via video link to the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse, located at 59 Church Street in St. Catharines where they were remanded into custody.
This investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 905-688-4111, dial option 3, extension 1009787.
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.
#25-99153 / #25-101760
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