NEWS RELEASE
NIAGARA REGIONAL POLICE
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On Saturday, March 16, 2024, Niagara Regional Police officers with the assistance of street crime detectives and the traffic enforcement unit began an investigation into a stolen vehicle in the area of Elgin Street and Buttrey Street in Niagara Falls.
At about 12 p.m., a traffic stop was conducted on a grey Chevrolet Cruz. Investigation revealed both the plates and vehicle to be stolen separately.
As a result, three males were arrested. A search led officers to locate and seize a loaded .38 cal Smith and Wesson revolver, approximately 80 grams of suspected carfentanil and additional ammunition of varying calibers. The estimated value of 80 grams of fentanyl is $6,000.
John McMullen (33 years old) of Hamilton, Ont. was arrested and charged with the following offences:
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000
- Possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000
- Unauthorized possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle
- Possession of a restricted or prohibited firearm knowingly not holding a licence
- Possession of a restricted or prohibited firearm without holding a licence
- Possession of a restricted firearm with ammunition
- Careless storage of a firearm
- Possession of a schedule I substance for trafficking
Ronald Vant (42 years old) of Welland, Ont. was arrested and charged with the following offences:
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000
- Possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000
- Unauthorized possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle
- Possession of a restricted or prohibited firearm knowingly not holding a licence
- Possession of a restricted or prohibited firearm without holding a licence
- Possession of a restricted firearm with ammunition
- Careless storage of a firearm
- Possession of a schedule I substance for trafficking
Andre Lafontaine (42 years old) of Niagara Falls, Ont. was arrested with the following offences:
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000
- Possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000
- Unauthorized possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle
- Possession of a restricted or prohibited firearm knowingly not holding a licence
- Possession of a restricted or prohibited firearm without holding a licence
- Possession of a restricted firearm with ammunition
- Careless storage of a firearm
- Possession of a schedule I substance for trafficking
All three males were held in custody pending a video bail hearing.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the investigating officers by calling 905-688-4111, option 3, ext. 1009667.
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.
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