Man sought after robbery leads to stabbing in Niagara Falls

Niagara police are searching for a 42-year-old man after a robbery lead to a stabbing in Niagara Falls.

Officers were called to a Niagara Falls hospital after a man in his 30s showed up with serious stab wounds accompanied by a woman just before 3 a.m. on Tuesday.

Police learned the duo had been at a bar in Fort Erie several hours earlier and accepted a ride back to Niagara Falls from a male acquaintance.

The driver unexpectedly stopped at a parking lot along the Niagara Pkwy. near Thompson Rd. in Fort Erie.

Police say three men and a woman were waiting in the lot when the vehicle arrived.

“While in the parking lot a male suspect pointed a firearm at the victims and demanded money,” said police in a news release. “The male victim was struck with the firearm and physically beaten.”

The pair was then driven to the area of Lundy’s Ln. and Kalar Rd. in Niagara Falls where they exited the vehicle.

“While collecting their belongings one of the suspects stabbed the male victim multiple times,” said police. “The victims fled the area and later attended the hospital on their own.”

Niagara police have arrested Michael C. Nayler, 42, Yvon Joseph Bertrand, 51, Dustin Murray Delange, 37, and Lori Johns, 51. All are facing weapons-related robbery charges. Nayler also faces an assault charge.

Police have issued an arrest warrant for 42-year-old Michael Elliot Stapleton, of Fort Erie.

He is described as white, five-foot-eight, 285 lbs, with brown short hair, unshaven facial hair, and blue eyes. Stapleton has “Dakota” tattooed on his right forearm, an image of the Joker on his left upper arm and several designs on his neck.

Investigators are asking residents not to approach him if seen, but call police instead.

Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives at 905-688-4111, ext. 1009535.