Update: March 21
Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) detectives assigned to 1 District (St. Catharines/Thorold) Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the stolen motor vehicle.
As a result of continued efforts, detectives have identified a suspect responsible for the vehicle theft.
Mathew Morris (38 years) of St. Catharines is wanted for the following criminal offence:
- Robbery
The investigation remains active and on-going as detectives with 1 District CIB continue to work collaboratively with detectives in the Collision Reconstruction Unit. Efforts are focused on gathering additional evidence, and further charges related to the fatality are expected in the near future.
Detectives believe that Morris was last seen in the area of Ontario Street and Welland Avenue in the City of St. Catharines.
Detectives would like to thank members of the community for their assistance in this matter.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact detectives by calling 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1009783.
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 people who contact the program with information which leads to an arrest.
Original release: March 20
On Wednesday, March 19, at approximately 9:40 p.m., uniform officers with the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) assigned to 1 District (St. Catharines/Thorold), responded to a call regarding a car theft at a commercial plaza located in the area of Scott Street and Niagara Street in the City of St. Catharines.
Initial investigation revealed that a driver and passenger had parked a black Audi S5 in the plaza parking lot. The driver exited the vehicle, leaving the keys in the ignition with the engine running, while the passenger remained seated in the front passenger seat. The driver then entered a nearby store.
While the driver was inside the store, an unidentified male suspect approached the vehicle, opened the driver’s door, and verbally threatened the passenger. Following this, the passenger exited the vehicle, and the suspect fled the area at a high rate of speed.
At approximately 10:20 p.m., 1 District uniform officers with the NRPS responded alongside the St. Catharines Fire Department and Niagara Emergency Medical Service (NEMS) for a motor vehicle collision at the intersection of Welland Avenue and Ontario Street in the City of St. Catharines.
Upon arrival, uniformed officers determined the stolen black Audi S5 had collided with a grey Chevrolet Malibu. The suspect in the stolen black Audi S5 was observed fleeing the scene on foot.
In response, the NRPS deployed additional resources from 6 District (Port Colborne/Wainfleet), 5 District (Fort Erie/Ridgeway), the Traffic Enforcement Unit (TEU) and the K9 Unit to assist in the search for the suspect. Despite these efforts, the suspect has not been located at this time.
Tragically, the driver of the grey Chevrolet Malibu, a 31-year-old male from St. Catharines, was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.
Detectives assigned to the NRPS Collision Reconstruction Unit have assumed carriage of the motor vehicle collision investigation. Detectives assigned to the NRPS 1 District Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) have assumed carriage of the theft of motor vehicle investigation. Both investigative teams are working collaboratively and are receiving support from detectives with the NRPS Forensic Services Unit (FSU).
The suspect involved in the car theft and motor vehicle collision is believed to have sustained an injury to his head, resulting in blood loss. The NRPS is asking the public to remain vigilant and report any information that may assist in identifying the suspect.
This investigation is in its preliminary stages and remains active. Detectives believe potential witnesses were present at the time of the collision and are urging them to come forward.
Witnesses to the collision, as well as motorists or residents in the area with functional dash-cameras or security cameras, are encouraged to review their footage and contact the lead detective at 905-688-4111, option 3, badge 1009783, with any relevant information.
Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477.
