NEWS RELEASE
NIAGARA REGIONAL POLICE SERVICE
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On Jan. 10, 2023, Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) street crime detectives assigned to 1 District (St. Catharines / Thorold) received judicial authorization to search a residential address located in the area of Chetwood Street near Churchill Street, in the City of St. Catharines.
At 4:15 p.m., with the assistance of our Emergency Task Unit, the search warrant was executed, and two individuals were subsequently arrested. A loaded .22 caliber bolt action rifle was located.
Michael Roberts (42 years) of St. Catharines who does not possess a valid firearms licence, was arrested and charged with the following Criminal Code offences:
- Possess firearm other than a restricted or prohibited firearm without holding a licence
- Careless storage of a firearm, weapon, or prohibited device
Baylea Pritchard (23 years) of St. Catharines who does not possess a valid firearms licence, was arrested and charged with the following Criminal Code offences:
- Possess firearm other than a restricted or prohibited firearm without holding a licence
- Careless storage of a firearm, weapon, or prohibited device
Both Roberts and Pritchard are all being held for bail hearing scheduled to take place later today (Jan. 11, 2023) via video link to the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse located at 59 Church Street, in the City of St. Catharines.
Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact detectives at 905-688-4111, dial option #3, extension #1009571.
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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