A man has been arrested following a home invasion in St. Catharines early Friday morning, while four other suspects remain outstanding, Niagara Regional Police say.
The incident happened shortly before 4 a.m. in the area of Lake Street and Welland Avenue.
Investigators allege five masked suspects armed with firearms arrived at a home in a white Acura TLX that had been reported stolen from Mississauga.
Four of the suspects forced their way into the home and took personal belongings from the occupants, while the fifth suspect remained in the vehicle.
Officers responded within minutes and intercepted the suspects as they attempted to flee. Police say the suspect who stayed in the vehicle rammed two police cruisers before being arrested at the scene, while the other four suspects fled westbound on foot.
Joshua Balkaran, 18, of Elmira, has been charged with multiple offences including robbery with a firearm, forcible confinement, break and enter, disguise with intent, possession of a dangerous weapon, dangerous operation and flight from a peace officer.
He was held in custody and appeared for a bail hearing on Friday at the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse in St. Catharines.
Police say the occupants of the home and responding officers were not injured.
Investigators believe the incident was targeted and say there is no ongoing risk to public safety.
Detectives are on the hunt for four other suspects and are asking anyone who may have dashcam or surveillance video from the area around the time of the incident to contact Niagara Regional Police.
Anyone with information can call police at 905-688-4111 or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously.
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