On Friday, June 27, 2025, at approximately 3:15 p.m. uniform members of the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) assigned to 8 District (Grimsby/Lincoln/West Lincoln) responded to a business in Lincoln where a bag was found with a firearm inside.
The weapon was seized by responding officers and an investigation was commenced by members of the 8 District Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB). With the assistance of the Repeat Offender Parole Enforcement (ROPE) Squad and members of 1 District (St. Catharines/Thorold) Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB), two suspects were identified and arrested.
On Wednesday, July 9, 2025, ROPE members located the two suspects in the area of Dunlop Drive and Carlton Street in the City of St. Catharines. A high-risk arrest was initiated, resulting in one suspect reaching into his waistband and producing a firearm. The firearm was quickly discarded, and a short foot pursuit ensued.
Chessen JOHNSTON, a 30-year-old male from Mississauga, was arrested and charged with the following criminal offences:
Possession of a Firearm Contrary to Prohibition Order (two counts) Fail to Comply with Undertaking (two counts) Fail to Comply with Prohibition Order (two counts) Possession of a Restricted or Prohibited Firearm Knowingly Not Holding a License (two counts) Possession of a Firearm Without Holding a License (two counts) Carrying a Concealed Weapon (two counts) Possess a Loaded Firearm (two counts) Unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited Device (two counts)
Shaqayeq MEZBANI, a 25-year-old female from New Brunswick, was arrested and charged with the following criminal offences:
Possession of a Restricted or Prohibited Firearm Knowingly Not Holding a License Possession of a Firearm Without Holding a License Possess a Loaded Firearm Unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited Device
JOHNSTON and MEZBANI were remanded into custody after attending a bail hearing on Thursday, July 10, 2025, via video link to the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse, located at 59 Church Street in St. Catharines.
The Provincial ROPE (Repeat Offender Parole Enforcement) Squad is a multi-agency, provincial team that locates and apprehends parolees unlawfully at large in the province of Ontario. The ROPE Squad also assists with locating and apprehending high-risk dangerous offenders.
ROPE members are located strategically throughout Ontario and have five operational teams comprised of representatives from the Ontario Provincial Police and 14 municipal and regional police services. The Niagara Regional Police Service is represented by two Detective Constables.
The investigations and apprehensions conducted by the Provincial ROPE Squad are an excellent example of crime prevention as well as proactive and intelligence-led policing strategies that enhance public safety.
This investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 905-688-4111, dial option 3, extension 1009341.
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.
Incident #25-69231/#25-74627