Man arrested after Canada-wide hunt for Ontario murder suspect

A man has been arrested in Mississauga in connection with the hit-and-run death of an 82-year-old man in the Niagara area.

Davy Rocchetti, 50, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder at approximately 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday in collaboration with Peel Regional Police and the Toronto Police Service, Niagara Regional Police said.

Police later told INsauga.com that Rocchetti was arrested in the Lakeshore Road East area of Mississauga.

On Saturday, a Canada-wide second-degree murder warrant was issued for Rocchetti.

Larry Pearce, a St. Catharines man, was killed in a violent carjacking as he visited a park in Lincoln, some 20 kilometres west of St. Catharines on July 17. Police believe Pearce attempted to block the culprit or culprits escape by standing in front of his vehicle. He fell during the confrontation and was struck as the suspects fled the scene.

Late Friday, Niagara Regional Police said Pearce’s grey Honda CRV was found Thursday night just off the QEW in Mississauga’s west end after Peel Regional Police responded to a vehicle fire shortly before 9 p.m.

The CRV was found ablaze near 1875 North Sheridan Way, a short distance east of Erin Mills Parkway and steps north of the busy highway.

Rocchetti was returned to the Niagara Region and is being held in custody pending a bail hearing on Wednesday in St. Catharines.

Anyone with further information is asked to contact detectives at 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1009450.

Those who wish to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards for information that leads to an arrest.

With files from Declan Finucane

Editor’s note: This story was updated with information from police.