Three Men Arrested in Crime Patrol Initiative in Welland

On Friday, March 27, 2026, uniform officer with the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) 6 District (Port Colborne/Wainfleet) conducted a directed crime patrol initiative in response to ongoing thefts of hydro and telecommunication wire. 

During the early morning hours of Saturday, March 28, 2026, a uniform officer (who was part of that directed patrol) made observations of a vehicle travelling at an excessive rate of speed (177 km/h in a posted 80 km/h zone) in the city of Welland.  The vehicle was stopped, and the officer found the occupants in possession of a large amount of telecommunication wire. 

Uniform officers with NRPS 3 District (Welland/Pelham) attended to assist.  The investigation was handed over to detectives with the 3 District Street Crime Unit (SCU) and 3 District Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB).

28-year-old Tyler HUGINS of Port Colborne, 52-year-old Michael HUGGINS of no fixed abode and 54-year-ol Stean VAUTOUR of Welland were all arrested and charged.

Tyler HUGGINS has been charged with the following offences.

• Mischief Endangering Life
• Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000.00
• Possession of Break-In Instruments
• Theft Over $5000
• Drive Motor Vehicle While Performing a Stunt
• Speeding

Michael HUGGINS has been charged with the following offences.

• Mischief Endangering Life
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000.00
• Possession of Break-In Instruments
• Theft Over $5000

Stefan VAUTOUR has been charged with the following offences.

• Mischief Endangering Life
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000.00
• Possession of Break-In Instruments
• Theft Over $5000
• Fail to Comply with Probation

All three accused were held for a bail hearing which took place on March 28, 2026, at the Welland Courthouse, 102 East Main St in Welland.

The investigation remains ongoing and anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact the Niagara Regional Police Service’s 3 District Street Crime Unit at 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1009215.

Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously are encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to persons who contact the program with information that leads to an arrest.

NRPS #26-36873