NEWS RELEASE
NIAGARA REGIONAL POLICE SERVICE
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In July of 2024, detectives with 1 District (St. Catharines/Thorold) with the Niagara Regional Police Service, began a firearm investigation in the City of St. Catharines.
As a result of the investigation, detectives identified two male suspects and on July 4, 2024, detectives received Judicial Authorization to search a residence in the area of Ontario Street and Welland Avenue in the City of St. Catharines.
During the search, detectives located and seized the following:
- A .22 Caliber German Sports Gun Pistol.
- An unloaded Taurus G2C 9mm pistol
- Magazine for the Taurus 9mm pistol, loaded with seven rounds of 9mm ammunition
Michael Mills(43 years old) of St. Catharines was arrested and charged with the following offences:
- Assault with a weapon
- Use of Firearm during Commission of an Offence
- Careless Storage of Firearm, Weapon, or Ammunition
- Carrying Concealed Weapon
- Possess Firearm without Holding a Licence
- Possess Restricted or Prohibited Firearm Knowingly not holding a Licence
- Unauthorized Possession of Firearm in Motor Vehicle
- Possess Loaded Regulated Firearm
- Possession of a Firearm knowing Serial Number has been Tampered with
- Possess of Firearm Weapon or Ammunition Contrary to Prohibition Order
Mills was held in custody pending a bail hearing that was expected to take place on July 3, 2024 at the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse, located at 59 Church Street in the City of St. Catharines.
William Austin (36 years old) of St. Catharines was arrested and charged with the following offences:
- Careless Storage of a Firearm
- Possess Restricted or Prohibited Firearm without holding a Licence
- Possess Restricted or Prohibited Firearm knowingly not holding a Licence
- Possession of a Firearm knowing serial number has been Tampered with
- Possess Unloaded Regulated Firearm
- Unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited Device or Ammunition
- Possess Prohibited/Restricted Weapon or Prohibited Device Knowingly not holding a Licence
Austin was held in custody pending a bail hearing that was expected to take place on July 5, 2024 at the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse, located at 59 Church Street in the City of St. Catharines.
Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives at 905-688-4111, option 3, ext. 1009711.
Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously are encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to persons who contact the program with information that leads to an arrest.
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