NEWS RELEASE
NIAGARA REGIONAL POLICE SERVICE
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Detectives assigned to the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) 1 District (St. Catharines/Thorold) Criminal Investigative Branch (CIB) have been actively investigating two bank robberies that occurred in the downtown area of the City of St. Catharines. The first robbery occurred on Oct. 31, 2022 at the TD Bank located at 31 Queen St., and the second robbery occurred on Nov. 8, 2022 at the Bank of Montreal located at 31 King St..
On Nov. 10, 2022, the suspect was identified by detectives and a BOLO (be on the lookout) was distributed to all officers in the City of St. Catharines and throughout the Region of Niagara.
On Nov. 11, 2022 at 2:23 a.m., 1 District uniform patrol officers were conducting a proactive foot patrol in the Richard Pierpoint Park located at 321 Oakdale Ave. in the City of St. Catharines. An individual was located sleeping in a makeshift shelter who appeared to have a likeness to the wanted robbery suspect. Officers continued to investigate and ultimately confirmed the individual’s identity as being the suspect wanted for both bank robberies.
Kevin Penzes, 40, of St. Catharines has been arrested and charged with robbery (two counts).
Penzes was held in custody and appeared in bail court on Nov. 11, 2022 via video link to John Sopinka Courthouse located at 45 Main St. E. in the City of Hamilton. He has since been remanded into the custody of Ontario Correctional Services.
Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact detectives at 905-688-4111, dial option 3, ext. 1009511.
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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