Shots were fired early Thursday morning when police in Niagara attempted to stop three men from robbing a liquor store.
Niagara Regional Police were called to the LCBO store at the Fairview Mall at 311 Geneva St. in St. Catharines at about 2:15 a.m. and found three men loading cases of liquor into a white van.
Police said cruisers were used to block the van as police attempted to stop the suspects from fleeing.
The suspects jumped into the van and attempted to drive away, smashing into a police cruiser several times and speeding toward one of the officers.
Niagara police said an officer fired his gun several times, striking the vehicle as it sped away.
The van fled the scene and was chased by officers onto the Queen Elizabeth Way toward Hamilton. Police said the chase reached speeds of 180 km/h before the pursuit was called off.
Police say they are looking for three suspects, described as:
- a white male, 5'8", with a thin build and wearing a grey hoodie and sweatshirt, blue jeans and a white bandana
- a black male, 6'1", with a thin build and wearing a black hoodie, grey sweatshirt, black pants and black shoes.
- a white male, 5'8", with a thin build and wearing a black hoodies and black pants with a baseball cap.
A white 1998 Dodge Caravan believed to have been used by the suspects was found abandoned in Hamilton and will under go forensic examination. Police say the van has suffered damage to the middle passenger side window.
Anyone with information on the suspects or vehicle is asked to call Niagara Regional Police at 905-688-3911 x 4272 or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
