A 28-year-old Niagara Falls, Ontario, resident was charged following a coordinated search operation involving Niagara Parks Police, Niagara Regional Police and Emergency Medical Services Tactical Paramedics in the Niagara Glen on the Ontario side of the Niagara Gorge.
About 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Niagara Parks Police received reports of a male acting erratically in the Niagara Glen area. The individual was observed entering and exiting the water while carrying a lifesaving ring.
Officers entered the Glen and located the individual scaling the escarpment. They pursued the suspect until challenging terrain made it unsafe to continue. During the response, one Niagara Parks Police officer sustained injuries and was transported to hospital for treatment.
The coordinated multi-agency search operation continued throughout the evening. The search was suspended shortly after midnight because the terrain could not be safely traversed in darkness.
At approximately 9 a.m. on Thursday, Niagara Parks Police received a report from a hiker who alleged to have been assaulted by a male dressed in a superhero costume. A renewed and extensive search involving Niagara Parks Police, Niagara Regional Police, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Niagara Emergency Medical Services was launched.
The suspect was located climbing the escarpment near Thompson Point. Members of the Niagara Parks Police High Angle Team and the Niagara Regional Police Emergency Tactical Unit rappelled into the gorge and safely apprehended the individual. Specialized rescue equipment was used to extract him from the gorge.
Niagara Parks Police arrested and charged the suspect with uttering threats, mischief, mischief endangering life, theft and three counts of breach of probation.