NEWS RELEASE
NIAGARA REGIONAL POLICE
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Officers from the 1 District St. Catharines office of the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) are investigating a series of vandalism incidents which included racist and homophobic words and explicit images.
On June 12, 2022 at approximately 8 a.m., 1 District – St. Catharines uniform officers responded to a report of spray paint damage on a home on George Street near Catherine Street in St. Catharines. Racist and homophobic words had been sprayed on the house siding using blue and orange paint.
Officers continued to investigate in the area finding multiple vehicles, and buildings were targeted including the exterior of Harriet Tubman School at 84 Henry St. A statue of Harriet Tubman on the property was vandalized with paint. The investigation has determined the vandalism at the school occurred at approximately 9:55 p.m. on June 11, 2022.
Officers were able to be locate 13 incidents of damage to property. Damaged property includes:
• two school buses
• six passenger vehicles
• three residential homes
• one business
• one elementary school (statue, sign, school exterior)
Collective damages are estimated at more than $5,000.
The investigation by detectives has located footage of the two unknown suspects.
Suspect #1 is described as:
• Male, medium build, wearing light-coloured pants, light coloured sweater, baseball hat, and black Nike shoes (used his left hand)
Suspect #2 is described as:
• Male, thin build, wearing a striped hooded sweater, pants, light-coloured shoes, and a flat brimmed baseball hat
The suspects are believed to have travelled in the area on foot or bicycle. The suspects were on George Street, Catherine Street, Albert Street, Henry Street, and Louisa Street. Anyone (residents or businesses) in the above area with closed circuit security cameras, doorbell video cameras, or dash cameras are asked to review their footage for suspicious activity for the period between June 11, 2022, 9 p.m. and 1 a.m. on June 12, 2022.
The NRPS recognizes the harmful impact this crime has on members of our community and are working diligently to bring those responsible before the courts to be held accountable.
The investigation has been assigned to detectives from the 1 District detective office. They are being assisted by officers from the NRPS Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Unit. Anyone with information is asked to call 905-688-4111, option 3, ext. 1009482.
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.
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