On Dec. 20 at 12:38 p.m. 1 District (St. Catharines / Thorold) uniform officers with the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) responded to a report of a violent break-and-enter on Tasker Street in St. Catharines.
Officers arrived on scene and found two men suffering from serious injuries. Niagara Emergency Medical Services paramedics transported both to hospital. One of the men (suspect) was taken to an out of region hospital for further care where he remains in serious condition. The second man (victim) was treated and released.
The initial investigation determined that a violent fight occurred after a male suspect broke into the home and brandished a knife towards a resident (victim) and threatened him. The suspect struck the resident multiple times with the blunt portion of the knife. Bystanders in the house came to the aid of the resident / victim. A violent struggle continued outside the home to disarm the suspect during which he received serious injuries.
1 District detectives were assigned to the investigation. On Dec. 22, detectives attended an out-of-region hospital to meet with the suspect where he remains in hospital. James Christopher Rice, 25, of St. Catharines has been arrested and charged with the Criminal Code offences of:
- Break enter commit assault with a weapon
- Uttering a threat
- Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
Rice attended a video bail hearing to the Robert S. K. Welch Courthouse in St. Catharines on Dec. 22 from hospital. He was released from custody with a future court date.
The circumstances of the incident remains under investigation by 1 District detectives. The suspect and victim were known to each other. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the investigating officers by calling 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1009011.
Members of the public who wish to supply information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477.
