Man arrested in Merritt Trail stabbing in St. Catharines

Police said victim is recovering at home after being released from hospital

Niagara Regional Police arrested a 56-year-old man late Thursday night after a stabbing on the Merritt Trail in St. Catharines sent a another man to hospital.

Police were called to the trail at 3:19 p.m. in the area of Martindale Road near Erion Road, where officers located a 47year-old St. Catharines man who was suffering from stab wounds.

Niagara Emergency Medical Service paramedics took him to an out-of-region trauma centre. Police said the man was later released from hospital and is recovering from his injuries at home.

The NRP said their investigation determined the man was operating an e-bike on the trail when a confrontation took place with a man who was unknown to him. Police said the victim was assaulted and fell off of his bike onto the ground. Once on the ground, he was stabbed with a knife.

The man and area witnesses provided police with a description of the attacker that led officers to identify a suspect.

A56-year-old man was arrested at a residence in the area of Vansickle Road North near Barton Street around 10:15 p.m. by a team involving the emergency task unit with negotiators, canine, community oriented response and engagement, uniform patrol and traffic enforcement officers.

The suspect, a St. Catharines resident, was charged with assault causing bodily harm and assault with a weapon.

Police are asking anyone with information about the incident to contact the lead detective at 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1009367 or provide a tip anonymously with Crime Stoppers online or at 1-800-2228477.