Fourth arrest made in Wainfleet kidnapping and shooting case

Police have arrested a fourth suspect into an alleged kidnapping and shooting in Wainfleet Tuesday.

At about 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Niagara Regional Police arrested an 18-year-old St. Catharines man who is now charged with 12 crimes.

Police are not releasing the name of the man who is charged with kidnapping, use of firearm during the commission of an offence, attempt to commit an indictable offence (kidnapping), use of firearm while attempting to commit offence, careless use of a firearm, unauthorized possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle, possession of a firearm without holding authorization, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, two counts of assault with a weapon and two counts of pointing a firearm.

A bail hearing will be held Friday at Robert S. K. Welch Courthouse in St. Catharines.

Two youths and a 20-year-old were previously arrested in connection with the incident. Police responded to the call at about 5:20 p.m. Tuesday at a rural residence in the area of Concession Road 6 and Wellandport Road.

Police previously said earlier that day a male youth had allegedly been taken against his will by four suspects and driven to a second address — the location of the disturbance call — where the suspects allegedly attempted to take a second male youth against his will, police said.

The suspects were armed with firearms and knives, and at least one shot was fired during the incident, said police.

During the altercation, the suspect vehicle became stuck in a ditch, stranding the four suspects in the largely rural area. None of the persons at the residence were physically injured, police said.

Officers who initially responded arrested one of the suspects near the scene, while additional officers across the region attended to assist in establishing a perimeter. A shelter-in-place advisory was issued and eventually called off at 12:50 a.m. Wednesday.

Two 16-year-old males, from Pelham and Niagara Falls, and a 20-year-old St. Catharines man are also charged with kidnapping, use of a firearm during the commission of an offence, attempt to commit an indictable offence and use of a firearm while attempting to commit an offence

While the identities of the youths are protected by the Youth Criminal Justice Act, police are also not naming the 20year-old.

Police said in a news release that all parties believed to be responsible for the Wainfleet incident have been arrested.