Pursuit of teens leads to arrest

A 53-year-old St. Catharines man faces numerous charges after a group of teenagers was approached by a male in a vehicle on Powerview Avenue in St. Catharines on Friday.

The male was visibly irritated, yelled, cursed and accused the teens of trespassing on his property, Niagara Regional Police said in a news release.

The male left and drove a short distance away to 60 Powerview Ave. He parked his vehicle at his home, continued to threaten the youths and revved his engine, police allege.

He eventually grabbed one of the teens by the shirt. The teen was able to escape and began running. The male then pursed the teen in his vehicle “dangerously driving over grass, gardens, stones and ditches, narrowly missing this teenager and their group of friends while continuing to threaten the teenagers,” said the press release.

A crowd began to gather as neighbours and sports teams practising nearby heard the events. Onlookers phoned police.

The male returned to his home, where he parked his vehicle and retreated inside. He refused to speak with police, who obtained a warrant to his home and arrest him, said the press release.

Crises negotiators and members of the tactical unit were called upon to mediate a surrender, due to the male’s aggressive and dangerous behaviour. As a result, the male eventually exited his home upon which he was arrested without incident.

Gene Carter is charged with assault with a weapon, assault, uttering threats of death/harm, and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.

The police are asking for any witnesses of this incident who have not already spoken to the police to contact the investigators, Det.-Sgt. David Pierini and Det.Const. Joe Peazel at 905-688-4111.