Three wanted in St. Catharines 'targeted' gang sexual assault

Since September of 2024, detectives with the Sexual Assault Unit (SAU) of the Niagara Regional Police Service have been investigating a gang sexual assault that took place on Sept. 15 in St. Catharines.

Investigation revealed that four male suspects had committed a break-and-enter at a residence in the area of Welland Avenue and Lake Street and gang sexually assaulted an adult female. Prior to the males leaving, they stole multiple items from the female’s residence. 

The victim sustained non-life-threatening physical injuries.

On Friday Sept. 27 members of the Sexual Assault Unit executed search warrants at residences in the City of Niagara Falls and St. Catharines with the assistance of the Emergency Task Unit, Forensic Services Unit, and the K9 Unit, with the Niagara Regional Police Service. 

As a result, a 17-year-old male from Niagara Falls was arrested and charged with the following offences:

• Break-and-enter - commit gang sexual assault
• Break and Enter - commit sexual assault with a firearm
• Break and Enter - commit sexual assault causing bodily harm
• Break and Enter - commit mischief under $5,000
• Break and Enter - commit theft under $5,000
• Gang sexual assault
• Sexual assault with a firearm
• Sexual assault causing bodily harm
• Mischief under $5,000
• Theft under $5,000
• Use firearm during the commission of an offence
• Distribute intimate image without consent

He was held in custody pending a bail hearing that is expected to take place on Sept. 28 at the Robert S. K. Welch Courthouse located at 58 Church Street in the City of St. Catharines.  The Youth Criminal Justice Act of Canada prohibits the Niagara Region Police Service from releasing the identity of the accused.

Three male suspects are still outstanding and wanted on multiple charges. 

A 17-year-old male from St. Catharines is wanted for the following offences:

• Break-and-enter - Commit Gang Sexual Assault
• Break-and-enter - Commit Sexual Assault with a Firearm
• Break-and-enter - Commit Sexual Assault Causing Bodily Harm
• Break-and-enter - Commit Mischief under $5000
• Break-and-enter - Commit Theft under $5000
• Gang sexual assault
• Sexual assault with a firearm
• Sexual assault causing bodily harm
• Mischief under $5,000
• Theft under $5,000
• Use firearm during the commission of an offence
• Fail to comply with undertaking

Kieren Ennis, 24, of Atwood North Perth, is wanted for the following offences:

• Break-and-enter - commit gang sexual assault
• Break-and-enter - commit sexual assault with a firearm    
• Break-and-enter - commit sexual assault causing bodily harm
• Break-and-enter - commit mischief under $5,000
• Break-and-enter - commit theft under $5,000
• Gang sexual assault
• Sexual assault with a firearm
• Sexual assault causing bodily harm
• Mischief under $5,000
• Theft under $5,000
• Use firearm during the commission of an offence
• Fail to comply with undertaking
• Possession of firearm, weapon or ammunition contrary to prohibition order (two counts)

Larry L. Smith, 19, of St. Catharines, is wanted for the following offences:

• Break-and-enter - commit gang sexual assault
• Break-and-enter - commit sexual assault with a firearm  
• Break-and-enter - commit sexual assault causing bodily harm
• Break-and-enter - commit mischief under $5,000
• Break-and-enter - commit theft under $5,000
• Gang sexual assault
• Sexual assault with a Firearm
• Sexual assault Causing Bodily Harm
• Mischief under $5,000
• Theft under $5,000
• Use firearm during the commission of an offence
• Pointing a firearm
• Fail to comply with release order
• Possession of firearm, weapon or ammunition contrary to prohibition order
• Fail to comply with probation order (two counts)

This appears to be a targeted event. 

Detectives have reason to believe there may be witnesses that have more information about this incident. Detectives are asking for those witnesses to contact them at 905-688-4111, option 3, ext. 10029535.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the investigating officers by calling 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1029535.

Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477. 

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