Latest news with #Rocchetti


Hamilton Spectator
30-07-2025
- Hamilton Spectator
Suspect in death of retired St. Catharines firefighter arrested
A man wanted in the death of an 82-year-old St. Catharines man who was struck by his own vehicle at a park in Lincoln has been arrested. Niagara Regional Police said Wednesday that Davy Rocchetti is in custody, facing a charge of second-degree murder in the death of Larry Pearce. Rocchetti, 50, of no fixed address, was arrested Tuesday at about 7:30 p.m. outside the region by NRP detectives with the assistance of Peel Regional Police and Toronto Police. Pearce, a retired St. Catharines firefighter, leaves behind his spouse, two children and grandchildren. Police said Pearce arrived at Charles Daley Park in Lincoln on Thursday, July 17, at 9 a.m. and stayed for about 40 minutes. As he was leaving in his grey Honda CRV, he stopped near the park's front entrance and got out. Police said at that point, a man entered the vehicle and took the wheel. Police said Pearce stood in front of the vehicle in an attempt to prevent the man from fleeing. During the confrontation, Pearce fell to the ground and the man drove away, leaving Pearce in critical condition. Pearce died from his injuries in hospital the next day. By Sunday, July 20, police had identified a suspect and released a photo. They later obtained a Canada-wide warrant for Rocchetti's arrest. On Thursday, July 24, Pearce's Honda was found in flames in Mississauga. Police said the vehicle was intentionally set on fire by a lone individual seen walking away from the area. After the arrest Tuesday, Rocchetti was returned to Niagara and was scheduled to appear for a bail hearing in St. Catharines Wednesday. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .


Global News
30-07-2025
- Global News
Police catch man charged with murder in Ontario hit-and-run
After nearly two weeks, police in Niagara Falls, Ont., say they have finally caught up with a man who is accused of fatally running over an 82-year-old man with his own car. The ordeal began on July 17, when officers were dispatched to Charles Daley Park in Lincoln at around 9:45 a.m. after a report that a vehicle had hit a pedestrian and fled the scene. Two days later, police revealed that 82-year-old Larry Pearce of St. Catharines had succumbed to his injuries suffered in the collision while in hospital. Police said Pearce had been at the park for about 40 minutes before he began to drive off. As he was leaving the parking lot, 'he stopped and engaged in an interaction with unknown suspect(s).' Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Pearce then got out of the vehicle to talk with them and that was when a suspect hopped in and took control of the wheel, according to police. They say Pearce then jumped in front of the vehicle in an attempt to stop the thief from making off with his Honda CR-V but he fell to the ground and the SUV drove off. Story continues below advertisement Three days after the incident, police announced they were looking to speak with Davy Rocchetti in connection with the incident. They did not say whether the man was a suspect but did say he was wanted on charges unrelated to the hit and run, including mischief under $5,000, theft under $5,000 and operation while prohibited. Then, on July 23, police announced that Rocchetti was facing a second-degree murder charge in connection with Pearce's death and that officers were seeking a Canada-wide warrant in their search for the man. Police said Rocchetti had been spotted in the 2012 grey Honda CR-V in Mississauga along with his pitbull-style dog. Then last Thursday, police from Peel Region were dispatched to North Sheridan Way in Mississauga for a vehicle fire. It was later confirmed to be the missing CR-V, according to police, who said a man was seen walking away from the SUV after it had been set ablaze. Police say they finally caught up with Pearce on Tuesday night, arresting him for second-degree murder and taking him back to Niagara Region. Police did not say where the arrest was made but noted that officers from Niagara, Peel and Toronto were involved.


Hamilton Spectator
27-07-2025
- Hamilton Spectator
Deceased St. Catharines firefighter's stolen SUV found in Mississauga
Larry Pearce's stolen grey Honda CR-V has been found in Mississauga by police who were responding to reports of a vehicle on fire. Peel Regional Police responded to the area of 1875 North Sheridan Way in Mississauga at 8:50 p.m. Thursday. Niagara Regional Police detectives believe Davy Rocchetti was driving the Honda. Rocchetti is wanted in the death of Pearce, 82, a father of two with several grandchildren and a former St. Catharines firefighter. Pearce died after a confrontation at Charles Daley Park in Lincoln on July 17 during which his vehicle was stolen. Niagara police homicide detectives travelled to Mississauga to confirm the vehicle belonged to Pearce. A media release from the NRP said further investigation showed the vehicle entered the green space off Springbank Road at about 8:20 p.m., before being intentionally set on fire. A lone individual was seen walking away from the area shortly thereafter. Rocchetti's whereabouts remain unknown, and efforts are ongoing to locate him under the authority of a Canada-wide warrant. He is wanted for second-degree murder. Rocchetti also has outstanding warrants in an unrelated matter, including mischief under $5,000, theft under $5,000, three counts of operation while prohibited, and failure to comply with probation. In an earlier release, police said Rocchetti had a dog with him, a pitbull-style breed with white fur and black and brown markings, including a dark spot over the dog's left eye. NRP detectives continue to appeal to anyone who was at Charles Daley Park on the morning of Thursday, July 17, between 7 and 10 a.m., to contact investigators. Pearce was alone visiting the park. As he was preparing to leave at about 9:40 a.m., he was stopped by a man. Police said Pearce got out of his vehicle, at which point the man got in the driver's seat. Pearce stood in front of his vehicle to prevent the man from leaving and he fell to the ground during the confrontation, police said. He died the next day in hospital. Pearce retired from the St. Catharines fire department in 1999, following a 32-year career with the service. In recent years, he could often be found relaxing at Charles Daley Park or watching the sunset in Port Dalhousie while in the company of old friends. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .


Hamilton Spectator
24-07-2025
- Hamilton Spectator
Suspect in Charles Daley Park hit and run now faces second-degree murder charge
The suspect in last week's hit and run at Charles Daley Park that killed an 82-year-old St. Catharines man now faces a second-degree murder charge. And Niagara Regional Police believe the man is still in possession of the grey 2012 Honda CRV he's alleged to have stolen from the victim. At around 9 a.m. on Thursday, July 17, retired firefighter Larry Pearce arrived at the Lincoln park. Niagara Regional Police said he was driving out of the park when he stopped at the front entrance and interacted with the suspect. Police said Pearce got out of his vehicle, at which point the suspect got in the driver's seat. Pearce stood in front of the vehicle to prevent him from leaving and he fell to the ground during this confrontation, said police. The vehicle was last seen getting onto the QEW Niagara-bound from Seventh Street at about 9:44 a.m. Pearce died from his injuries Friday. Early Sunday, police put out an update with a description of the man they would like to speak to in relation to the incident, saying he had a pitbull-type dog on a green leash. Later Sunday, police said assistance from the public enabled them to identify him as Davy Rocchetti, 50, of no fixed address. He has outstanding warrants for an unrelated matter, including mischief under $5,000, theft under $5,000, three counts of operation while prohibited and fail to comply with probation. Late Wednesday, police said Rocchetti is now wanted for second degree murder, and detectives are in the process of obtaining a Canada-wide warrant for him. Police said Rocchetti was still driving the vehicle as recently as around 10 a.m. Tuesday. At the time, Rocchetti was in the area of 1900 block Dundas St. West in Mississauga, police said. Police said they also confirmed he still has his dog, described as being white with black and brown markings that include a dark spot over its left eye. Police said the vehicle no longer had a front licence plate displayed, and the rear plate, which originally Ontario Marker '24FS30,' may also have been changed. Police said the vehicle is distinct in that there is duct tape on the driver's side front bumper and duct tape covering the entirety of the rear back window. Investigators are urging anyone with information regarding Rocchetti's whereabouts to contact police immediately. If he is seen, do not approach him and instead call 911, police said. Anyone with information is asked by police to call 905-688-4111 , option 3, ext. 1009450. Information can be submitted anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or going to . Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .