Police make arrest in Fort Erie, recover stolen vehicle, tools

Niagara police have arrested a man and recovered a stolen SUV.

Officers were called out for a welfare check around House Road and Garrison Road in the Town of Fort Erie on Tuesday morning.

When they arrived, they found a 2007 Ford Freestyle that was stolen from Hamilton on Jan. 5.

Inside the van, authorities found several stolen tools. A short while later they located the man responsible for stealing the vehicle and placed him under arrest.

33-year-old Franklin Lewis, of no fixed address, was charged with several counts of possessing property obtained by crime, break and enter, theft and failure to comply with a release order.

Police say he had three outstanding warrants for previous incidents.

Lewis was held in custody and is expected to have a video bail hearing at a St. Catharines courthouse on Jan. 24.

Police say this incident remains ongoing and ask that anyone with additional information reach out to them at 905-688-4111.

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