4 males accused of ‘targeted’ gang sexual assault in St. Catharines

Two people are in custody including a teenager and police are searching for two others accused of breaking into a woman’s home and sexually assaulting her at gunpoint.

The Niagara Regional Police Service says the incident happened on September 15 at a residence near Welland Avenue and Lake Street in St. Catharines.

Investigators say the four male suspects allegedly took intimate images of the woman and stole multiple items from her home before leaving. She sustained non-life-threatening physical injuries.

On Friday, police arrested a 17-year-old boy from Niagara Falls in connection with the incident. He faces 12 charges, including break and enter, sexual assault with a firearm, theft under $5,000 and distributing intimate images without consent. He cannot be identified under provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

On Saturday, police say 24-year-old Kieran Ennis of Atwood North Perth turned himself in to police. He is facing 14 charges including break and enter, gang sexual assault, theft under $5,000 and failing to comply with a probation order.

Police are still on the hunt for two suspects who are wanted on multiple charges. One of them is a 17-year-old boy from St. Catharines, whose name cannot be released under provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

The second suspect has been identified as 19-year-old Larry L. Smith of St. Catharines. He’s described as five-foot-10, 315 pounds with a heavy build, a black beard and moustache, black braided hair and brown eyes.

Investigators say this was a targeted event and believe there may be more witnesses.

Officers encourage anyone with information to contact police.