During the summer, the 1 District (St. Catharines / Thorold) Street Crime Unit (SCU) with the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) received information regarding weapons and drug trafficking offences occurring in the City of St. Catharines.
The investigation involved a multi-unit residence building on Church Street near Niagara Street. Detectives were able to identify a suspected unit. On August 6, 2024, detectives applied for a Controlled Drugs and Substance Act search warrant for the unit.
On Aug. 7, detectives executed the search warrant with the assistance of the NRPS Emergency Task Unit. During the subsequent search of the residence detectives seized the following:
- A 22 caliber rifle
- Stolen property
- An airsoft pistol
- An electric stun gun
- Suspected hydromorphone tablets
Jade Hayward, 36, of St. Catharines has been arrested and charged with the criminal offences of:
- Careless Storage of a Firearm
- Possession of a Prohibited Device
- Possession of a Schedule 1 Substance for Purpose of Trafficking
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime
Peter DaSilva, 56, of St. Catharines has been arrested and charged with the criminal offences of:
- Careless Storage of a Firearm
- Possession of a Prohibited Device
- Possession of a Schedule 1 Substance for Purpose of Trafficking
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime
- Possession of Firearm, Contrary to Prohibition Order
Hayward was later released from police custody on a Form 10 Undertaking with a future court date. DaSilva was held in custody for a video bail hearing to the Robert S. K. Welch Courthouse in St. Catharines on Aug. 8.
The investigation remains ongoing by detectives. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the investigating officers by calling 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1009244.
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.
