Man arrested after barricading himself in a Niagara Falls apartment

Niagara police have arrested a 31-year-old man after he barricaded himself in a Niagara Falls apartment on Sunday.

Officers responded to a home on Stamford St. near Buchanan Ave. around 9:35 p.m. for reports of an assault involving a weapon. Upon arrival, they located two victims.

The 55-year-old male victim from Thorold and 47-year-old female victim from Brampton suffered minor injuries and did not require transport to the hospital.

When responding officers arrived, the male suspect ran into an apartment and barricaded the door. The initial investigation determined that the suspect had become upset with the male victim and shoved him to the ground.

After doing so he used a vacuum to smash a glass door of the residence, estimated at $500 in damages. The property manager attempted to intervene and was struck with the vacuum.

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Two officers attempted to negotiate with the suspect but the suspect refused to exit and began smashing property in the residence, with an estimated $3,500 in damages.

After lengthy negotiations, officers say they were able to de-escalate the suspect and he surrendered peacefully at 4:04 a.m.

As a result of the incident, Charles Bitton, 31, of Niagara Falls has been arrested and charged with assault, mischief under $5000, assault with a weapon and failure to comply with release order.

Bitton is scheduled to appear in court for a bail hearing on Monday.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the investigating officers by calling 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1022200.

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