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On Thursday May 30, 2024, 1 District (St. Catharines/Thorold) uniform officers with the Niagara Regional Police Service attended the 1 District Lobby located at 198 Welland Avenue in the City of St. Catharines for an assault in progress.

Investigation revealed that a male suspect was acting erratically at the police station when he approached a 77 year old female who was seated on a bench within the front lobby and proceeded to ramble and make incoherent conversation. The victim did not engage with the suspect as he paced throughout the front lobby. The victim then attempted to retrieve her purse from a bench when the suspect violently grabbed the purse from the victim she struggled to hold on.

The suspect proceeded to flee towards the main entry door of the front lobby while firmly holding onto the victim's purse. The victim, who refused to let go of her purse, fell to the floor while still clutching the purse and was subsequently dragged while the suspect attempted to flee the building. The suspect dragged the victim through the lobby, front vestibule, and towards the concrete steps in front of the police station.

Officers were able to intervene and placed the male under arrest. The purse and its contents, were recovered.

The victim suffered serious but non-life threatening injuries.. She was transported to a local hospital.

Ajitsingh CHANDEL (39 years old) of St. Catharines was arrested and charged with the following offences:

  • Robbery

Chandel was held in custody pending a bail hearing that was expected to take place on May 31, 2024 at the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse located at 59 Church Street in the City of St. Catharines.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Niagara Regional Police Service at 905-688-4111, option 3, ext. 1002200.

#24-56753