Police seek man after attempted armed robbery in St. Catharines

Police continue to search for the suspect in an attempted armed robbery in St. Catharines Monday morning that sent the surrounding area into a brief hold-and-secure.

Investigators say a man with a black handgun entered the Enterprise Rent-A-Car location in the area of Lake and Scott streets around 8:30 a.m. and demanded keys for a vehicle from an employee.

When he was not given keys, he fled the area on foot. The store employee was not injured during the confrontation.

Given the involvement of a firearm, police issued a shelter-in-place notice for residents and businesses in the area as they searched for the suspect.

This extended to William Hamilton Merritt Public School, Eden High School and A Child’s World daycare.

The notice was lifted at 9:22 a.m. after officers said they had “exhausted search efforts”, citing no known ongoing threat to public safety.

Police have exhausted search efforts in area of Lake St & Scott St in @St_Catharines

At this time there is no known ongoing threat to public safety following the attempted armed robbery.

Shelter in place is being lifted for residents and businesses. More information to follow

— NRPS (@NiagRegPolice) October 30, 2023

The search for the suspect, however, remains ongoing.

Investigators describe the white man as approximately six-feet-tall with a medium build.

He was last seen wearing a red bandana with a white pattern over his face, dark sunglasses, black hooded sweatshirt, black pants and black leather shoes.

Residents in the area and employees at local businesses are asked to remain vigilant and report any suspicious individuals who match the description.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the lead detective at 905-688-4111, option 3, ext. #1009628.

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