Tuesday, July 7, 2026

WATCH LIVE!

Police make arrest in NOTL break in, sexual assault of minor

Posted:December 23, 2025 | 6:48 AM
By:Bridget Laur
Co-author:Emily Tayler

Updated: January 2, 2026 | 4:22 PM

The Niagara Regional Police Service detachment in 1 District located in St. Catharines, Ont., Friday, March 15, 2024 (Aaron Lynett/The Canadian Press).

A 33-year-old man has been arrested following an alleged break in and sexual assault of a minor in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. Friday.

Investigators say they have arrested Nicholas Morinello of Niagara Falls and charged him with sexual assault, sexual interference and break and enter to commit.

According to the Criminal Code of Canada, a person can be charged with sexual interference if alleged sex crimes were committed against a person under the age of 16.

Officers responded to reports of a break in the area of Wall and Four Mile Creek roads at around 11:20 p.m. on Dec. 19.

Detectives allege that a girl under the age of 15 had been sexually assaulted following the break-in.

In an open letter published yesterday in a local newspaper, Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa writes:

“First and foremost, my thoughts are with the victim and their loved ones during this unimaginably difficult time. The Town takes matters of safety and well-being very seriously, supports the Niagara Regional Police Service’s ongoing investigation. Safety, in our homes, on our streets, and in our community is a shared priority.”

Niagara police say Morinello is being held in custody ahead of his bail hearing on Tuesday.

“It’s a horrible crime that has a really wide spread affect to both the victim and the entire community.” said Const. Jessica Martin with Niagara Police. “At the Niagara Regional Police Service, we take allegations of sexual assault very seriously and our detectives have been working very diligently to identify and arrest the suspect in this matter.”

The allegations have not been tested in court.

Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact the Niagara Regional Police Service’s Sexual Assault Unit at 905-688-4111, option 3, ext. 1009519.

Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously are encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to persons who contact the program with information that leads to an arrest.