Driver who smashed into other cars in parking lot of St. Catharines mall caught and charged

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Published January 19, 2023 at 1:51 pm

A 24-year-old driver who used the parking lot of the Pen Centre in St. Catharines as his own personal Demolition Derby on Jan. 16 before taking off at a reckless speed and evading the police has now been caught and charged.

On Jan. 16, Niagara Police was first called to the First Avenue and Woodlawn Road area of Welland at 8:15 am when a call of a suspicious car – a black Honda Civic – came in.

The driver took off before the police arrived before being located at the Pen Centre in St. Catharines.  Spotting the police, the driver “intentionally” smashed into three unmarked police cars, as well as a random parked car before taking off again at a high speed.

“Out of concern for public safety”, the police didn’t chase him and say he was last seen in the Oakwood Drive and McLeod Road area of Niagara Falls.

The Niagara Police were able to identify the driver, Jeremy Joseph Bowen of no fixed address, and on Jan. 18, they got reports that he has resurfaced in downtown St. Catharines.

He spotted the officers again as they approached him and once again, he took off. However, he foolheartedly returned and this time squad cars boxed him in. After a quick pursuit on foot, Niagara Police were able to grab him.

Bowen has been charged with:

  • Uttering threats
  • Two counts of dangerous driving
  • Theft under $5,000
  • Six counts of failing to comply with probation
  • Two counts of light from the police
  • Assaulting a police officer with a weapon
  • Failing to stop at the scene of an accident
  • Assaulting a police officer
  • Resisting arrest

Held in custody, Bowen will appear at a video bail hearing today (Jan. 19) at the courthouse in St. Catharines.

The Niagara Police “would like to acknowledge the assistance of the public and media in locating and safely arresting Bowen.”

Anyone with information about this matter is asked to contact detectives by calling 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1023300.

 

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