Credit card-sized gun seized after collision

Niagara Regional Police have laid weapons charges against three Welland individuals, two of them teenagers, following an incident in Welland.

Last Friday, officers responded to the area of East Main and Duncan streets regarding a vehicle collision.

Upon arrival, officers learned a white 2015 Nissan Versa was driving erratically on East Main Street when it collided with a 2020 Chevrolet Trailblazer.

The two occupants of the Nissan fled on foot and were tracked to a nearby Crowland Avenue residence near York Street, police said in a news release Monday. Both occupants were located and arrested.

As this was occurring, a witness came forward and reported that the two had been seen shooting at and attempting to run over two males riding BMX bicycles prior to the crash, police said, adding the cyclists have yet to be identified and are encouraged by detectives to come forward.

As a result of the information about a firearm, two search warrants were obtained.

The first was executed at the Crowland Avenue residence and resulted in the recovery of a 12-gauge double-barrel shotgun and a single-shot, .22-calibre, credit card-sized firearm, said the NRP.

A third person, who was inside the residence at the time of the search, was also arrested. The second search warrant was executed on the seized Nissan and resulted in the recovery of two pellet guns, pellets and dog repellent.

A 35-year-old man who was inside the residence was arrested and charged with careless storage of a firearm, weapon, prohibited device (two counts); unauthorized possession of a nonrestricted firearm and unauthorized possession of a prohibited firearm.

The two male occupants who were inside of the Nissan Versa and located at the Crowland Avenue address before being arrested are aged 17 years and 16 years of age.

A 17-year-old male has been arrested and charged with careless storage of a firearm, weapon, prohibited device (two counts); careless use of a firearm, weapon, prohibited device or ammunition; unauthorized possession of a nonrestricted firearm; unauthorized possession of a prohibited firearm; dangerous operation of a motor vehicle; fail to stop at the scene of an accident; possession of a weapon; pointing a firearm and two counts of assault with a weapon.

A 16-year-old male has been arrested and is charged with careless use of a firearm, weapon, prohibited device or ammunition; possession of a weapon and pointing a firearm

Area residents and businesses are encouraged by police to review their CCTV footage for imagery that may assist in their investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the lead detective at 905-688-4111, option 3, ext. 1009318.

People can provide information anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-2228477.

Area residents and businesses are encouraged by police to review their CCTV footage for imagery that may assist in their investigation