NEWS RELEASE
NIAGARA REGIONAL POLICE SERVICE
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On Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024, at approximately 11 a.m., 5 District (Fort Erie) uniform officers with the Niagara Regional Police Service attended a welfare check in the area of House Road and Garrison Road in the Town of Fort Erie.
As a result, officers were able to locate a 2007 Ford Freestyle that was reported stolen from the City of Hamilton, on Jan. 5. Further investigation led officers to locate multiple stolen tools in the vehicle.
The suspect responsible for the stolen vehicle was located and placed under arrest. The suspect also had three outstanding arrest warrants for previous incidents.
Franklin Lewis (33 years old) of no fixed address, was arrested and charged with the following offences:
- possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000 (two counts)
- possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 (two counts)
- break enter and commit non-dwelling house
- theft under $5,000 (eight counts)
- fail to comply with release order
Lewis was held in custody pending a video bail hearing that is expected to take place on Jan. 24, 2024, at the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse located at 59 Church Street, in the City of St. Catharines.
This investigation remains ongoing by 5 District detectives. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the investigating officers by calling 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1022300.
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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