Niagara police arrest man following armed robbery in Welland

Niagara regional police have arrested a man following one robbery and an attempted robbery in Welland early Wednesday morning.

Officers say at around 4:15 a.m. they responded to a robbery call to a Petro Canada at 504 Niagara St. in the City of Welland.

Investigators say at around 4 a.m. a man entered the gas station, allegedly pointed a firearm at an employee and demanded money.

The employee then grabbed a weapon to defend himself, causing the man to flee on a bicycle.

Police say the man then attended an Esso at 709 Niagara St. in Welland, before entering the store, allegedly pointing a firearm and demanding money.

The man then obtained an undisclosed amount of money before fleeing the scene on a bicycle.

Investigators say they were able to identify the suspect, and located them at around 4:30 a.m. in the area of Division and West Main streets in Welland where he was placed under arrest.

Officers say the arrest led to recovering the stolen money and a pellet gun.

Police have charged 21-year-old Justin Byford of Welland with two counts of robbery.

Byford was held in custody pending a bail hearing scheduled to be held at a St. Catharines courthouse on Wednesday.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police.

WATCH MORE: Police seek man wanted in armed St. Catharines bank robbery