Niagara Police get citizens help arresting Welland murder suspect

More details on the Welland murder story from April 30 are being released by the Niagara Police today (May 2).

It turns out the suspect, 35-year-old Joel Dreaver, put up quite a fight and two citizens joined with the officers to subdue him into the back street of the police car.

Even with the additional help, two Niagara officers were treated for minor injuries.

“Two citizens observed the officers struggling with Dreaver and came forward to assist,” said Niagara Police today.

“The Niagara Regional Police Service would like to thank those specific community members and others who called 911 to report the incident.”

While one 50-year-old man was already dead when the police landed in Division Street and Alexander Street area of Welland to investigate just before midnight on Saturday night, the second victim, a 68-year-old man, has now been released from the hospital, police said today.

Dreaver remained in custody facing second-degree murder charges with a bail hearing set yesterday (May 1) at the John Sopinka Courthouse in Hamilton.

Area residents with CCTV footage that captures Division Street near Alexander Street and motorists who were in the area with an operational dash-camera, are encouraged to review their footage and contact the lead homicide detective at 905-688-4111, option 3, ext 1009470 with any relevant information.

The initial Insauga story on the arrest can be found HERE.