NEWS RELEASE
NIAGARA REGIONAL POLICE SERVICE
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On Dec. 13, 2018, at approximately 4:15 a.m., uniform officers from the 2 District Niagara Falls office of the Niagara Regional Police Service were on patrol in the area of Dorchester Road and Thoroldstone Road in the City of Niagara Falls.
The officers noticed a silver four-door sedan parked in an accessible parking spot in front of a convenience store. The officers investigated the sedan further when it was noticed it was not displaying an accessible parking permit.
Further investigation found that the licence plate attached to the sedan was stolen. The three occupants were subsequently arrested. As a result of the arrest, officers located a large capacity prohibited rifle and ammunition in the sedan.
Stephanie L. McLaughlin, 27 years old, of Niagara Falls is charged with the alleged offences of:
- Possession of property obtained by crime
- Unauthorized possession of a prohibited firearm in a vehicle
- Possess a prohibited firearm without a licence
Scott James Joseph Balcombe, 24 years old, of Niagara Falls is charged with the alleged offences of:
- Possession of property obtained by crime
- Unauthorized possession of a prohibited firearm in a vehicle
- Possess a prohibited firearm without a licence
- Possession of Schedule I substance - fentanyl
Stephan A. Johns, 27 years old, of no fixed abode is charged with the alleged offences of:
- Possession of property obtained by crime
- Unauthorized possession of a prohibited firearm in a vehicle
- Possess a prohibited firearm without a licence
- Unauthorized possession of prohibited device in a vehicle
- Possession of a prohibited firearm with ammunition
All three persons were held in custody to attend a bail hear on Dec. 14, 2018, at the Robert S. K. Welch Courthouse in St. Catharines.
Detectives are continuing to investigate this matter anyone with information is asked to contact 905-688-4111 extension 9315.
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