On Sunday, August 24th, 2025, officers with the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) 1 District (St. Catharines/Thorold) were dispatched to a Break and Enter call at a business on Geneva Street near Ted Street in St. Catharines.
Investigation revealed that a male broke into a building and stole several items including six firearms that were secured in a gun cabinet. The gun cabinet was located nearby, empty. The firearms have not been recovered.
Detectives with the 1 District Street Crime Unit (SCU) took carriage of the investigation and have identified males involved in this case.
Wanted Person
Pavel BRAOUN, 35, of St. Catharines
Break and Enter – Dwelling Break and Enter to Steal Firearms Possession of a Weapon Possession of a Firearm without a Licence Possession of a Restricted Firearm without a Licence Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000 Possession of a Firearm Contrary to Probation Order Fail to Comply with Probation
BRAOUN’s current whereabouts are unknown. He should be considered armed and dangerous.
Arrest Made
David VENKETESWARAN, 54, of St. Catharines
Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000
Stolen Firearms
Detectives continue efforts to locate the six stolen firearms, including three handguns, and three long guns.
Public Safety Advisory
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of BRAOUN or the stolen firearms is asked to contact the NRPS 1 District Street Crime Unit at 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1029782.
Members of the community who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477(TIPS). Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to people who contact the program with information which leads to an arrest.
If a member of the public comes across a discarded firearm, do not handle it. Call 911 immediately and wait for officers to attend and safely seize it.
NRPS Incident 25-96221