NEWS RELEASE
NIAGARA REGIONAL POLICE SERVICE
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On Jan. 22, 2024, at 3:53 p.m., uniform officers from the 5 District (Fort Erie) office of the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) responded to a report of an assault in Fort Erie.
Officers met a with an 18-year-old female victim who had sustained minor physical injuries. The victim’s injuries were assessed by Niagara Emergency Medical Services paramedics but did not require hospital care.
The initial investigation determined on Jan. 22, 2024, at approximately 2:55 p.m. the victim had been driving her car on the QEW when she noticed a black sedan following her. The victim attempted to evade the black sedan. The victim recognized the driver as a male she knew. The victim stopped in the City of Thorold to tell the driver to leave her alone. The victim and male driver both exited their vehicles. During the brief interaction, the male driver slapped the victim. The victim fled the area in her car.
At approximately 3:50 p.m. the victim was at her home in Fort Erie when there was a knock at her door. The victim observed the male suspect from the earlier assault was at her door and there was a second unknown male in the black sedan. The suspect forced his way into the home and was joined by the second unknown male. The victim was physically assaulted, assaulted with a knife, threatened, not allowed to leave, and her cell phone was smashed. The suspect and unknown male eventually left in the black sedan and the victim was able to get help.
5 District detectives were assigned to the investigation. The primary male suspect has been identified and was arrested in the Town of Lincoln on Jan. 24, 2024.
Sadiek Elmi Said (26 years old) of Lincoln was arrested and charged with the following offences:
- criminal harassment
- assault (two counts)
- forcible entry
- forcible confinement
- assault with a weapon
- mischief under $5,000
- utter threats
Said was held in custody pending a video bail hearing that is expected to take place on January 25, 2024, at the Robert S.K Welch Courthouse, located at 59 Church Street, in the City of St. Catharines.
The identity of the second suspect remains unknown. Detectives are attempting to develop a suspect description for public release.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the investigating officers by calling 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1009704.
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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