30-year-old man charged in string of Beamsville armed robberies

A 30-year-old man has been arrested and charged with connection with three armed robberies reported in Beamsville on Wednesday.

Niagara police say the suspect entered three businesses over the course of the day brandishing a black handgun and demanding money.

The first incidents occurred at Coastal Kitchen Bar and Home Hardware on King Street around 3:45 p.m. where officers say he entered both businesses within minutes of each other, leaving when he did not receive any money from employees.

Following the initial reports, police conducted a search of the surrounding area but the suspect was not found.

Police would receive another call around 8:50 p.m. from Hey Bud on Greenlane Road where the suspect once again entered the business brandishing a black handgun and demanding money.

There, the suspect received an undisclosed amount of money before fleeing in a dark-coloured Chevrolet single cab pickup truck with chrome wheels.

READ MORE: Police seek ‘armed and dangerous’ suspect in Beamsville robbery

There were no physical injuries reported by any of the employees at the three targeted businesses.

Following the third armed robbery, investigators released a series of images obtained through security footage at Hey Bud in hopes of positively identifying the suspect they described as “armed and dangerous”.

On Thursday, Johnathan Joseph Jones of no fixed address was arrested and charged with three counts of robbery with a firearm. Police say further charges are expected to be laid.

Officers say after multiple tips were provided by the public, they were able to positively identify the accused before locating and putting him under arrest without incident in the Glendale Avenue and Highway 406 in St. Catharines around 6:15 p.m.

Jones is being held in custody awaiting a bail hearing set for Friday.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the investigating officers by calling 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1009383.

READ MORE: Search on for suspect in attempted armed robberies in Beamsville