On May 31, 2023, uniform officers from the 8 District (Grimsby / West Lincoln / Lincoln) office of the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) responded to a report of mischief / damage in the Town of Lincoln.
Officers arrived on scene at the Trinity United Church on William Street near King Street. The initial investigation found that during the early hours of Sunday May 28, 2023, the Canadian Flag and Pride Flag were both located on the ground near the church’s flagpole. With further inspection, the rope to the flag post had been cut and the Pride Flag had been ripped up.
Further investigation by officers determined the cutting down of the flags and subsequent damage to the PRIDE flag occurred May 27, 2023, at approximately 9:54PM. Video footage depicts five persons entering onto the property. Three persons can be seen interacting with the flagpole. Further analysis of the footage is pending.
The investigation has been assigned to 8 District detectives. The investigation is being treated as potentially a hate-based incident.
The identity of the suspects is still unknown. Anyone who may have information about this incident, or the suspects is asked to contact detectives by calling 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1009023.
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 which leads to an arrest.
Click Here for Crime Stoppers Online
Anyone (residents, businesses and commercial properties) in the area with closed circuit security cameras, doorbell video cameras, or dash cameras are asked to review their footage for suspicious activity for the period between 9:00PM and 11:59PM on May 27, 2023.
23-56797
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