NEWS RELEASE
NIAGARA REGIONAL POLICE
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Oct. 7 update:
Detectives from the 1 District (St. Catharines/Thorold) detective office of the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) have been investigating this incident since the occupants surrendered to NRPS officers on Oct. 6, 2024. The apartment unit at 64 Front Street South in Thorold was held for a search warrant by detectives. As a result of the search, detectives located and seized the machete brandished by the male suspect.
The male suspect in this matter Lance Zilberleib (45 years) of no fixed address was arrested and charged with the Criminal Code offences of:
- Assault with a weapon (three counts)
- Mischief under $5,000
Zilberleib was held in custody for a video bail hearing to the Robert S. K. Welch Courthouse in St. Catharines on Oct. 7, 2024.
The three victims in this matter were not physically injured. The four other persons in the apartment with Zilberleib at the time of his arrest were released without charge. Further investigation also determined the suspect did not have a firearm during this incident.
Anyone with information about this incident or who may have witnessed it, is asked to contact the investigating officers by calling 905-0688-4111, option 3, ext. 1024233 reference NRPS incident 24-112921.
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.
Oct. 6 update:
On October 6, 2024, at 11:24 a.m. 1 District (St. Catharines / Thorold) uniform officers from the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) responded to an armed person / weapons call in the City of Thorold.
The initial investigation determined that a male had been brandishing an edged weapon on the street and there was an altercation with members of the public. The male suspect fled into a multi-unit residential apartment building at 64 Front Street.
Officers contained the apartment unit the suspect was hiding in. The NRPS Emergency Task Unit, Crisis Negotiators, and 1 District detectives were called to the scene. It was determined multiple people were in the apartment and refused to exit when directed by the officers on scene.
After continued negotiations at 2:55 p.m. three people surrendered themselves to the officers. At approximately 4:40 p.m. the suspect and a fifth person surrendered to officers without further incident.
This is an ongoing investigation by 1 District detectives. More information about the incident, the suspect, and any applicable charges will be released later tonight or tomorrow morning once detective have been able to investigate the matter further.
Affected residents at 64 Front St. are being allowed to return to their units.
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Original release:
On Oct. 6, 2024, at 11:24 a.m. 1 District (St. Catharines / Thorold) uniform officers from the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) responded to a report of an armed person in Thorold.
While en route to the call officers received information that a man was armed with an edged weapon and possibly a firearm and that there had been an altercation between the man and a person on the street. The male suspect is believed to have then entered the multi-unit residential apartment building at 64 Front Street.
Officers arrived on scene and through investigation received information that the suspect had entered an apartment unit within the building. Officers have contained that unit and the adjacent ones for safety.
The NRPS Emergency Task Unit, Crisis Negotiators, and 1 District detectives have been called to the scene.
This is an ongoing investigation. The public is asked to stay clear of the area.
More information will be posted on our social media channels (X, Facebook, and Instagram) and through additional media releases as required.
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