Niagara police arrest man after car dealership theft gone wrong

A St. Catharines man has been arrested after crashing a stolen vehicle into a ditch as he was fleeing police.

Niagara police began investigating a break-in at Moesz Auto Dealership in St. Catharines around 5 a.m. Wednesday.

The investigation revealed that multiple items were stolen, including vehicle key fobs and a 2015 Audi TT two-door coupe.

Around 9:40 p.m., officers identified the stolen vehicle while on patrol in St. Catharines.

According to a statement, police safely followed the vehicle as it travelled to Niagara Falls and attempted to pull it over near Mountain and Kalar roads.

The driver tried to evade the officers, but lost control of the car and slid into a ditch.

Police officers arrested him without any further struggle, and reported no injuries occurred as a result.

Matthew Belisle, 23, was charged with the following offences:

• Flight from a police officer;
• Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 (x4);
• Operation while prohibited (x2);
• Failure to comply with probation order; and
• Break enter and commit – theft of motor vehicle

Belisle was held in custody pending a bail hearing scheduled for Thursday.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Niagara Regional Police Service at 905-688-4111 option 3, ext. 1022200.

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