Police say a landlord-tenant dispute in downtown St. Catharines yesterday afternoon led to a man being Tasered after he allegedly brandished a knife in a threatening manner toward two people then resisted arrest.
At 3:15 p.m. 1 District (St. Catharines/Thorold) uniform officers from the Niagara Regional Police Service responded to a report of an armed man.
Police said an employee at a business in the area of St. Paul Street and James Street received information that someone in front of the business was brandishing a knife.
Officers attended and met with two adult victims, a man and woman.
"The initial investigation determined that a male suspect had become involved in a landlord-tenant conflict over repairs. The situation escalated when the suspect brandished a knife in a threatening manner," police said in a news release.
Police said a check of the area located the suspect on foot on James Street.
"When officers attempted to arrest the suspect, he resisted arrest and a struggle ensued," police said. "Officers successfully deployed a conducted energy weapon (Taser) and were able to arrest the suspect at 4:07 p.m."
Alain Joseph Cloutier, 57, of St. Catharines was arrested and charged with the Criminal Code offence of assault with a weapon.
Cloutier was held in custody for a video bail hearing at the Robert S. K. Welch Courthouse in St. Catharines on Aug. 27.
None of the allegations have been tested in court and Cloutier is considered innocent unless proven guilty.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the investigating officers at 905-688-4111, option 3, ext. 1004233.
