NEWS RELEASE
NIAGARA REGIONAL POLICE
*************************
On Tuesday, Aug. 13 at approximately 4:30 a.m., 2 District (Niagara Falls/Niagara on the Lake) uniform officers responded to a robbery that took place on Portage Road near Fallsview Boulevard in Niagara Falls.
An adult male victim was operating their electric scooter when he was stopped and approached by two males driving a stolen vehicle. He was then robbed, with what was believed to be a black handgun pointed at him. The suspects fled in the stolen vehicle along with the male’s scooter.
Warrants were subsequently issued for both male suspects and 2 District detectives took carriage of the investigation.
On Wednesday, Aug. 14 at approximately 5:20 p.m. in coordination with 2 District Detectives and with the assistance of officers in Repeat Offender Parole Enforcement (ROPE), Emergency Task Unit (ETU), 2 District, and 5 District (Fort Erie) uniform officers, containment was set up around a residential property located on Ferndale Avenue near Edgewood Avenue in the Town of Fort Erie.
The two suspects, 22-year-old Kia Pagan Sandino and a 14-year-old male, attempted to flee the residence on foot and were arrested without incident on the outstanding warrants.
A search incident to arrest located a concealed, loaded .25 caliber handgun with 24 rounds in a satchel.
A search warrant was authored by 2 District Detectives and once granted, at 1 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 15, police entered the residence on Ferndale Avenue in Fort Erie and recovered the stolen items from the robbery that took place on Aug. 13, 2024.
Kia Pagan Sandino, 22, of St.Catharines was arrested and charged with the following criminal offences of:
- Carrying concealed weapon
- Carrying concealed weapon prohibited device or ammunition
- Possess restricted or prohibited firearm without holding a licence
- Possess prohibited/restricted weapon or prohibited device (x2)
- Possess loaded regulated firearm
- Possession of a weapon
- Possession of a prohibited device or ammunition
- Carry firearm, weapon, prohibited device or ammunition in careless manner (x2)
- Unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted weapon
- Unauthorized possession of a prohibited device or ammunition
A 14-year-old male was arrested and charged with the criminal offences:
- Robbery with a firearm
Sandino and the 14-year-old male were held in custody pending a video bail hearing at the Robert S. K. Welch Courthouse in St. Catharines on August 15, 2024.
Investigation continues and further charges are anticipated.
The identity of the co-accused is not being released as per the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Niagara Regional Police Service at 905-688-4111 ext. 1009730.
Members of the public who wish to supply information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477.
*************************
