An 82-year-old man from St. Catharines, Larry Pearce, is dead after being struck by a suspect who stole his vehicle.
On the morning of July 18, between 9:00 and 9:40 a.m., Pearce was parked at Charles Daley Park in Lincoln, near the QEW and North Service Road. Police believe Pearce had a brief interaction with an unknown individual near the park entrance, during which he exited his 2012 silver Honda CRV.
The suspect then got into the driver’s seat, and when Pearce tried to prevent the theft by standing in front of the vehicle, he was hit and knocked to the ground. The suspect fled with Pearce’s Honda, heading Niagara-bound on the QEW. Pearce later died from his injuries in hospital.
The stolen CRV, with Ontario license plate 24FS30 and a fire service emblem, was last seen near Seventh Street.
Police are seeking any witnesses or anyone with relevant footage from the time of the incident (9:35–9:45 a.m.). They are also asking anyone who was at the park between 6:00 and 9:00 a.m. that morning to come forward. Tips can be provided to investigators at 905-688-4111, ext. 1009450, or anonymously via Crime Stoppers.
Update – On Thursday July 24, Peel Police reported that the stolen vehicle was found to be set on fire in Mississauga. A Canada-wide warrant is issued for the suspect, identified as 50-year-old Davy Rocchetti, who remains at large.
Update 2 – On Tuesday July 29, Toronto Police and Peel Police have arrested and charged Davy Rocchetti with second-degree murder.