On December 27th, 2022, the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) responded to three pharmacy robberies committed between 1:58pm and 2:51pm, by the same four suspects, in the City of Niagara Falls, City of St. Catharines, and Town of West Lincoln.
The first robbery occurred at the Meadow IDA Pharmacy located at 6161 Thorold Stone Road, in the City of Niagara Falls at 1:58pm. Investigation has determined three suspects entered the premise as a fourth suspect waited outside in a stolen Honda Civic. The three suspects proceeded to use physical force to gain compliance from store employees before fleeing the area in the stolen Honda Civic with an undisclosed number of pharmaceuticals.
The second robbery occurred at the Golden Care Pharmacy located at 264 Welland Avenue in the City of St. Catharines at 2:24pm. The circumstances are similar to the first robbery, in that three suspects entered the premise as a fourth suspect waited outside in a stolen Honda Civic. The three suspects proceeded to use physical force to gain compliance from store employees before fleeing the area in the stolen Honda Civic with an undisclosed number of pharmaceuticals.
The third robbery occurred at Pharmasave Pharmacy located at 239 St. Catharines Street in the Town of West Lincoln at 2:51pm. Again, the circumstances are similar to the first two robberies, in that three suspects entered the premise as a fourth suspect waited outside in a stolen Honda Civic. Officers assigned to 8 District (Grimsby/Lincoln/West Lincoln) with assistance from street crime detectives assigned to the Criminal Investigative Branch of 1 District (St. Catharines / Thorold) responded to the pharmacy, located all four suspects, and placed them under arrest. The Honda Civic and all stolen pharmaceuticals have been recovered.
Devaun HARRISON (18 years) of Brampton has been arrested and charged with the following Criminal Code offences:
• Robbery x3
• Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000
Josiah LOWE (18 years) of Brampton has been arrested and charged with the following Criminal Code offences:
• Robbery x3
• Disguised with intent x3
• Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000
In addition, two 17-year-old male youths from Brampton have also been arrested. Each has been charged with robbery x3, disguised with intent x3, and possession of property obtained by crime over $5000. The Youth Criminal Justice Act prohibits the Niagara Regional Police Service from releasing their identifying information.
HARRISON, LOWE, and the two 17-year-old male youths were held for a bail hearing scheduled to take place on December 28th, 2022, via video link to the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse, located at 59 Church Street, in the City of St. Catharines. At the conclusion of the bail hearing all four males were held in custody pending future court dates.
Detectives assigned to the 1 District, 2 District, and 8 District Criminal Investigative Branches along with detectives from the 1 and 2 District Street Crime Units, have assumed carriage of the investigations. They are being supported by detectives from the Forensic Services Unit.
Members of the public who may have been at or in the area of any of the pharmacies during the time of the robberies and have information related to these investigations are being asked to contact the lead detective by dialing 905-688-4111, option 3, extension #1009535.
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 that leads to an arrest.
Incidents #22-146581, #22-146595, #22-146602