Niagara Regional Police says that detectives are investigating a series of incidents including hate vandalism in St. Catharines.
On June 12, 2022, at approximately 8:00am, police 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 Street. A statue of Harriet Tubman on the property was vandalized with paint. The investigation has determined the vandalism at the school occurred at approximately 9:55pm on June 11, 2022.
Officers were able to be locate 13 incidents of damage to property with collective damages estimated at more than $5000.00 Damaged property includes:
2 – School buses
6- Passenger vehicles
3- Residential homes
1- Business
1- Elementary school (statue, sign, school exterior)
As a result of that investigation detectives were able to identify two suspects.
On August 20, 2022, detectives arrested a 14-year-old male from St. Catharines. He was charged with the criminal offence of:
Mischief Under $5000 (13 Counts)
On August 21, 2022, detectives arrested a 15-year-old male from Niagara Falls. He was charged with the criminal offence of:
Mischief Under $5000 (13 Counts)
The Youth Criminal Justice Act of Canada prohibits the NRPS from releasing the identity of charged young persons.
The NRPS takes hate/bias related crimes seriously and encourages the community to step forward and report. For more information, please visit: NRPS Report Hate
Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact detectives by calling 905-688-4111, 1024233.
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.
Click Here For Crime Stoppers Online
