At approximately 7 a.m., a man carrying what appeared to be a handgun confronted a lone gas bar attendant in Smithville. The culprit demanded cash and fled the scene in a vehicle once his demands had been met. The gas bar attendant was not physically hurt during the confrontation.

Detectives from the No. 8 District Criminal Investigations Unit began an investigation into the matter. A public appeal issued by police asking for witnesses in the area to come forward resulted in the investigators receiving several calls that aided the investigation.

On June 15, Niagara investigators became aware of a possible suspect in the Hamilton area, and the Niagara Regional Police began working with the Hamilton Police Service - Break, Enter and Armed Robbery (BEAR) Unit on the matter. Three days later, members of the BEAR Unit located and arrested the 30-year-old man for three similar armed robberies that had occurred in the Hamilton area.

At the time of his arrest a replica firearm and a vehicle similar to one seen fleeing the Smithville robbery were seized.

The man has been charged with Armed Robbery, Using an Imitation Firearm While Committing an Indictable Offence, and Possession of a Weapon Dangerous to the Public Peace.