NEWS RELEASE
NIAGARA REGIONAL POLICE
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Detectives from the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) Sexual Assault Unit (SAU) are continuing their investigation into a targeted gang sexual assault that occurred on September 15, 2024, in the City of St. Catharines.
On September 28, 2024, detectives were notified by the Perth Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police Service that Kieran Ennis, 24, of Atwood North Perth had been arrested when he surrendered himself at their police station. NRPS SAU detectives attended the detachment and returned Ennis to Niagara. Ennis has been charged with the following Criminal Code offences:
- Break-and-enter - commit gang sexual assault
- Break-and-enter - commit sexual assault with a firearm
- Break-and-enter - commit sexual assault causing bodily harm
- Break-and-enter - commit mischief under $5,000
- Break-and-enter - commit theft under $5,000
- Gang sexual assault
- Sexual assault with a firearm
- Sexual assault causing bodily harm
- Mischief under $5,000
- Theft under $5,000
- Use firearm during the commission of an offence
- Fail to comply with undertaking
- Possession of firearm, weapon or ammunition contrary to prohibition order (two counts)
Ennis was held in custody for a video bail hearing to the Robert S. K. Welch Courthouse in St. Catharines on Sept. 29, 2024.
NRPS officers continue to search for a 17-year-old male and Larry Lawrence Smith, 19, both of St. Catharines. Arrest warrants have been issued for both males for their alleged roles in this incident.
The 17-year-old male is wanted for the Criminal Code offences of:
- Break-and-enter - Commit Gang Sexual Assault
- Break-and-enter - Commit Sexual Assault with a Firearm
- Break-and-enter - Commit Sexual Assault Causing Bodily Harm
- Break-and-enter - Commit Mischief under $5000
- Break-and-enter - Commit Theft under $5000
- Gang sexual assault
- Sexual assault with a firearm
- Sexual assault causing bodily harm
- Mischief under $5,000
- Theft under $5,000
- Use firearm during the commission of an offence
- Fail to comply with undertaking
Larry Lawrence Smith is described as:
- Black male
- 5-foot-10
- 315 lbs. – heavy build
- Black beard and moustache
- Black braided hair
- Brown eyes
He is wanted for:
- Break-and-enter - commit gang sexual assault
- Break-and-enter - commit sexual assault with a firearm
- Break-and-enter - commit sexual assault causing bodily harm
- Break-and-enter - commit mischief under $5,000
- Break-and-enter - commit theft under $5,000
- Gang sexual assault
- Sexual assault with a Firearm
- Sexual assault Causing Bodily Harm
- Mischief under $5,000
- Theft under $5,000
- Use firearm during the commission of an offence
- Pointing a firearm
- Fail to comply with release order
- Possession of firearm, weapon or ammunition contrary to prohibition order
- Fail to comply with probation order (two counts)
Anyone who may know the location of the wanted parties is asked to NOT confront them and to call the police immediately.
Detectives have reason to believe there may be witnesses that have more information about this incident. Detectives are asking for those witnesses to contact them at 905-688-4111, option 3, ext. 10029535.
The Youth Criminal Justice Act of Canada prohibits the Niagara Region Police Service from releasing the identity of the accused young persons involved in this matter.
ORIGINAL REPORT
Since September of 2024, detectives with the Sexual Assault Unit (SAU) of the Niagara Regional Police Service have been investigating a gang sexual assault that took place on Sept. 15 in St. Catharines.
Investigation revealed that four male suspects had committed a break-and-enter at a residence in the area of Welland Avenue and Lake Street and gang sexually assaulted an adult female. Prior to the males leaving, they stole multiple items from the female’s residence.
The victim sustained non-life-threatening physical injuries.
On Friday Sept. 27 members of the Sexual Assault Unit executed search warrants at residences in the City of Niagara Falls and St. Catharines with the assistance of the Emergency Task Unit, Forensic Services Unit, and the K9 Unit, with the Niagara Regional Police Service.
As a result, a 17-year-old male from Niagara Falls was arrested and charged with the following offences:
- Break-and-enter - commit gang sexual assault
- Break and Enter - commit sexual assault with a firearm
- Break and Enter - commit sexual assault causing bodily harm
- Break and Enter - commit mischief under $5,000
- Break and Enter - commit theft under $5,000
- Gang sexual assault
- Sexual assault with a firearm
- Sexual assault causing bodily harm
- Mischief under $5,000
- Theft under $5,000
- Use firearm during the commission of an offence
- Distribute intimate image without consent
He was held in custody pending a bail hearing that is expected to take place on Sept. 28 at the Robert S. K. Welch Courthouse located at 58 Church Street in the City of St. Catharines. The Youth Criminal Justice Act of Canada prohibits the Niagara Region Police Service from releasing the identity of the accused.
Three male suspects are still outstanding and wanted on multiple charges.
A 17-year-old male from St. Catharines is wanted for the following offences:
- Break-and-enter - Commit Gang Sexual Assault
- Break-and-enter - Commit Sexual Assault with a Firearm
- Break-and-enter - Commit Sexual Assault Causing Bodily Harm
- Break-and-enter - Commit Mischief under $5000
- Break-and-enter - Commit Theft under $5000
- Gang sexual assault
- Sexual assault with a firearm
- Sexual assault causing bodily harm
- Mischief under $5,000
- Theft under $5,000
- Use firearm during the commission of an offence
- Fail to comply with undertaking
Kieren Ennis, 24, of Atwood North Perth, is wanted for the following offences:
- Break-and-enter - commit gang sexual assault
- Break-and-enter - commit sexual assault with a firearm
- Break-and-enter - commit sexual assault causing bodily harm
- Break-and-enter - commit mischief under $5,000
- Break-and-enter - commit theft under $5,000
- Gang sexual assault
- Sexual assault with a firearm
- Sexual assault causing bodily harm
- Mischief under $5,000
- Theft under $5,000
- Use firearm during the commission of an offence
- Fail to comply with undertaking
- Possession of firearm, weapon or ammunition contrary to prohibition order (two counts)
Larry L. Smith, 19, of St. Catharines, is wanted for the following offences:
- Break-and-enter - commit gang sexual assault
- Break-and-enter - commit sexual assault with a firearm
- Break-and-enter - commit sexual assault causing bodily harm
- Break-and-enter - commit mischief under $5,000
- Break-and-enter - commit theft under $5,000
- Gang sexual assault
- Sexual assault with a Firearm
- Sexual assault Causing Bodily Harm
- Mischief under $5,000
- Theft under $5,000
- Use firearm during the commission of an offence
- Pointing a firearm
- Fail to comply with release order
- Possession of firearm, weapon or ammunition contrary to prohibition order
- Fail to comply with probation order (two counts)
This appears to be a targeted event.
Detectives have reason to believe there may be witnesses that have more information about this incident. Detectives are asking for those witnesses to contact them at 905-688-4111, option 3, ext. 10029535.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the investigating officers by calling 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1029535.
Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477.
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