Two Men Arrested Following Theft from Autos Investigation in St. Catharines

Niagara Regional Police have been investigating over 20 incidents of theft from parked vehicles in the Ontario Street and Scott Street area of St. Catharines. The incidents were believed to be related and have been under investigation since December. The suspects frequently smashed a window to gain access to the car. On Tuesday, officers responded to a smashed window on a vehicle at a car dealership on Ontario Street. The investigation led to detectives identifying two male suspects. The suspects attended the NRPS Niagara Falls / Niagara on the Lake office that same day for an unrelated matter. They were both arrested with out incident and found to be in possession of stolen property, on their person and in their vehicle. Detectives later executed a search warrant at a residence in the area of Ontario Street and Carlton Street of St. Catharines, where more crime related stolen property was located and seized. 47 year old Richard William Ford of St. Catharines has been arrested and charged with the Criminal Code offences of: Theft Under $5000 (8 Counts) and Mischief Under $5000 (9 Counts). 39 year old Jake Walter Fisher of St. Catharines has been arrested and charged with the Criminal Code offences of: Theft Under $5000 (8 Counts), Mischief Under $5000 (9 Counts) and Fail to Comply – Probation Order. The investigation remains ongoing.