Category: Niagra Falls

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Niagra Falls Niagra Police Service Police Press Releases

Bentz Behind Bars After Drug Trafficking Arrest

Niagra Regional Police

On Monday, September 29, 2025, officers with the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) 1 District (St. Catharines/Thorold) were called to the Richard Pierpoint Park on Oakdale Avenue near Gale Crescent in St. Catharines, following reports of a male of who was armed with a handgun and in possession fentanyl.

Officers quickly arrived on scene and located the suspect male.  Investigation determined the male was not in possession of a handgun, however, the male was found to be in possession of a large quantity of illegal narcotics and property consistent with drug trafficking.

As a result, Trevor BENTZ (33 years old, of no fixed abode) was arrested and charged with the following offences.

  • Possession of a Schedule 1 Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking (Fentanyl)
  • Possession of a Schedule 1 Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking (Hydromorphone)
  • Possession of Proceeds Obtained by Crime Under $5000

Police seized the following items.

  • 105.4 grams of suspected fentanyl
  • 247 suspected Dilaudid pills (Hydromorphone)
  • $2646 in Canadian currency

BENTZ remains in custody and is scheduled to attend a bail hearing Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse, located at 59 Church Street in St. Catharines.

Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact the Niagara Regional Police Service’s 1District (St. Catharines/Thorold) at 905-688-4111.

Members of the community who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477(TIPS). Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to people who contact the program with information which leads to an arrest.

NRPS Incident 25-113160

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Niagara Niagra Falls Niagra Police Service

Public Shocked As Police “Subdue” Dogs

In September of 2025, Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) detectives with the Opioid Enforcement and Education Unit (OEEU) and Street Crime Unit detectives assigned to 2 District (Niagara Falls/Niagara-on-the-Lake) commenced an investigation into the distribution of illegal drugs in the City of Niagara Falls. 

On September 17, 2025, detectives with the Niagara Regional Police Service obtained judicial authorization to execute a Controlled Drugs and Substances Act search warrant at a residence in Niagara Falls. During the execution of the warrant, officers were confronted by two aggressive pit bull-type dogs. The animals were safely subdued through the deployment of a conducted energy weapon, allowing detectives to secure the scene and continue their investigation.

As a result of the investigation police seized the following:

  • 70.4 grams of fentanyl (Value: $6066)
  • 12.1 grams of crystal methamphetamine (Value: $1210)
  • 23 capsules of hydromorphone (Value: $345)
  • 44 tablets of dilaudids (Value: $660)
  • Sigsauer .22 caliber pistol with loaded magazine
  • Eatonia .22 caliber rifle
  • Marksman .45 caliber rifle
  • Additional rounds of ammunition

Cordell WETTLAUFER, a 41-year-old resident of Niagara Falls, has been arrested and charged with the following criminal offences:

  • Fail to Comply with Undertaking
  • Fail to Comply with Probation Order
  • Possession of a Firearm Contrary to Prohibition Order
  • Possession of a Firearm Without Holding a Licence (Three counts)
  • Possession of a Prohibited Firearm Knowingly Not Holding a Licence (Three counts)
  • Careless Storage of a Firearm (Three counts)

Jan ALTORF, a 22-year-old resident of Niagara Falls, has been arrested and charged with the following criminal offences:

  • Obstruct Peace Officer
  • Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking – Fentanyl
  • Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking – Crystal Meth
  • Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking – Hydromorphone
  • Trafficking in a Schedule I Controlled Substance

Ann STAMP, a 25-year-old resident of Niagara Falls, has been arrested and charged with the following criminal offences:

  • Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking – Fentanyl
  • Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking – Crystal Meth
  • Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking – Hydromorphone
  • Trafficking in a Schedule I Controlled Substance

WETTLAUFER, ALTORF and STAMP, remain in custody and are scheduled to attend a bail hearing Thursday, September 18, 2025, via video link to the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse, located at 59 Church Street in St. Catharines.

This investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 905-688-4111, dial option 3, extension 1009667.

Members of the community 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 people who contact the program with information which leads to an arrest.

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Niagra Falls OPP Police Press Releases

Diane PIZZICAROLA Was Arrested – Details Released

(NIAGARA FALLS, ON) – A driver was arrested and charged criminally after she was stopped and found to be serving a 1-year Criminal Code driver’s licence suspension because of an impaired driving conviction in November 2024.

On Thursday, February 6, 2025, at approximately 11:30am, an OPP Officer from the Niagara Detachment was on general patrol on Highway 420 and Drummond Ave, Niagara Falls when a vehicle was stopped, with the assistance of Automatic Licence Plate Recognition (ALPR) technology.

As a result of the investigation, Diane PIZZICAROLA, age 56, from Niagara Falls has been charged with:

·      Operation While Prohibited Under the Criminal Code

·      Failure To Comply With Undertaking

·      Operate a Motor Vehicle Without Insurance

The accused was released from custody and is set to appear on March 10th, 2025, at the Ontario Court of Justice, St. Catharines.

The OPP supports the implementation and use of enforcement tools and technologies aimed at improving traffic offence/crime detection and investigative capabilities and enhancing public and officer safety. The OPP relies on the public to report crime. Impaired Driving and Driving While Prohibited is a serious crime that should be treated no differently. Call 911 to report or call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

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Niagra Falls OPP Police Press Releases

“Drug” Bust

(NIAGARA FALLS, ON) – Two individuals are facing Cannabis Act (CA) charges after the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) executed two search warrants at illegal cannabis storefronts in Niagara. 

The OPP-led Provincial Joint Forces Cannabis Enforcement Team (PJFCET), in partnership with the Haldimand/Norfolk OPP Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU) and Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS), began an investigation in August 2024 into the sale of illegal cannabis from two storefronts located in Niagara Falls. These storefronts were not authorized by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) to sell cannabis or cannabis products.

On September 10, 2024, search warrants were executed at each location by members from PJFCET and Haldimand/Norfolk CSCU, as well uniform and Street Crime members from NRPS. The two storefronts will be held under Interim Closure Orders as per section 18(1) of the Cannabis Control Act (CCA).

Persons with interest in any of the locations (including owners) who wish to enter these premises may apply to the Superior Court of Justice to get permission under section 18(4) of the CCA. Anyone who enters buildings that are subject to interim closure without authorization from the Superior Court of Justice may be arrested and charged with breaking and entering, under section 348(1) of the Criminal Code (CC). 

As a result of the search warrants, the following items were seized:

  • More than $250,000 in illegal cannabis and illegal cannabis products, including dried cannabis, hash, edibles, vapes and shatter
  • $1,637 Canadian currency
  • A digital video recorder (DVR) system
  • Three cellphones
  • Two tablets

Lehlohonolo MOLEFE, age 39 of Toronto, has been charged under the CA and CC for the following six offences:

  • Possess cannabis for the purpose of selling
  • Possession of illicit cannabis
  • Possession of property obtained by crime
  • Possession of a prohibited weapon
  • Fail to comply with release order – two counts

The accused was remanded into custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice on September 25, 2024, via video.

Misty-Lyn DROZDOWSKY, age 60 of Port Colborne, was arrested and charged under the CA and CC for the following three offences:

  • Possess cannabis for the purpose of selling
  • Possession of illicit cannabis
  • Possession of property obtained by crime

The accused was released from custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in St. Catharines on October 21, 2024.

This investigation is ongoing. Any person with information regarding the illegal sale of cannabis should contact the OPP’s non-emergency number at 1-888-310-1122. Alternatively, you can contact Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or ontariocrimestoppers.ca.

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Niagra Falls OPP Police Press Releases

Joshua MORNINGSTAR Wanted By Police, Do Not Approach, Call 911 Immediately If Seen

(NIAGARA FALLS, ON) – The Repeat Offender Parole Enforcement (R.O.P.E.) Squad is requesting the public’s assistance in locating a federal offender wanted on a Canada Wide Warrant as a result of a breach of his Statutory Release. 

Joshua MORNINGSTAR is described as male Caucasian, 32 years of age, 6’0” (185cm), 155 lbs (70 kgs) with green eyes and brown hair. He has a number of Tattoo’s;

·      right side of ribcage – MORNINGSTAR

·      right Arm (General) Key Forever

·      right wrist – EST 91

·      right Hand – 5 Point Crown

·      left Knee – P>D>M>G

·      chest – Lions Head

 Joshua MORNINGSTAR is serving a Two (2) year, One (1) month sentence for;

·      Break and Enter and Commit

·      Break and Enter and Commit (Not a dwelling house)

 The offender is known to frequent the Niagara Region, specifically Niagara Falls.

Anyone having contact with this offender or information in regards to their whereabouts is asked to contact the Provincial R.O.P.E. Squad at 416-808-5900 or toll free at 1-866-870-7673 (ROPE) or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or call 9-1-1.