Multiple people get involved to stop robbery in Niagara Region

Niagara Regional Police Service are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying a suspect involved in an attempted robbery on Wednesday (June 29) in West Lincoln.

Uniform officers from 8 District Grimsby attended the area of Griffin St. North and St. Catharines Street in Smithville at approximately 1:30 p.m. after receiving reports of a robbery in progress.

After speaking with the victim and multiple bystanders, police learned that an individual had attempted to steal a parked SUV.

Police say that a female in her 70s parked her SUV in the Convenient St. and Brock St. area. When she opened her door to exit the vehicle, a masked man approached and asked for a ride.

When the woman denied the man a ride, he threatened her and demanded she hand over her keys.

Police say the woman was thrown to the ground multiple times as the suspect struggled for her keys.

The man was able to briefly get the SUV keys and enter the passenger side front door before bystanders converged on the scene.

The suspect ran and a bystander nearly caught him, pulling a red hoodie sweatshirt off the man and recovering the SUV keys in the process.

The suspect successfully fled the scene.

Police say the victim sustained minor injuries during the robbery attempt and received care from Niagara Emergency Medical Services paramedics.

The victim’s dog had been inside the SUV during the entirety of the incident as well.

The suspect is described as being a white male, approximately 5’5” and 15-20 years old. He was wearing a black mask, possibly a black shirt, black pants, and the red hoodie sweatshirt.

Police appeal to residents and businesses in the area with security surveillance cameras to check their footage on June 29 between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. and report any suspicious activity.

Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives by calling 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1009805.

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.