Suspect Arrested for Trafficking Stolen Item on Facebook Marketplace – Niagara Falls

On October 15th Niagara Regional Police responded to a residential address in the area of First Street Louth near Third Avenue Louth in St. Catharines. Information was received that two vehicles were entered during the overnight hours of October 14th and personal items were taken, including a $3,500 Yves Saint Laurent purse. On October 24^th, an Yves Saint Laurent purse was listed for sale on Facebook Marketplace for $1,400. The seller posted images of the purse that included a certificate of authenticity serial number that matched the same Yves Saint Laurent purse that was reported stolen. Detectives began conversing in an undercover capacity with the suspect. On Thursday, the suspect agreed to sell the purse and to meet undercover detectives in a parking lot on Queen Street in Niagara Falls.  When the suspect arrived with the stolen purse, he was placed under arrest. 39 year old James Roger McGowan of Niagara Falls faces several charges. Detectives have since returned the stolen purse to its rightful owner.