Niagara Regional Police received an emergency 9-1-1 call just before 1:30 Wednesday afternoon from a motorist who suspected an impaired driver. A car was observed driving erratically and swerving across lanes of traffic on Merrittville Highway near Port Robinson Road in Thorold. Officers located the suspect vehicle on Niagara Street near Merritt Street in Welland. A traffic stop was conducted and upon speaking with the driver, officers detected signs of impairment that resulted in an arrest for impaired driving. Officers located .4 grams of suspected fentanyl in the suspect’s pant pocket, andupon closer inspection of the suspects’ vehicle, a shotgun was observed resting adjacent to the centre console on the passenger side. As the suspect did not possess a valid firearms licence, the loaded shotgun was seized as evidence to the offence. 20 year old Holden Albano of Welland has been arrested and faces several charges. Albano was held for a bail hearing that took place Thursday via video link to the Courthouse in St. Catharines. He has since been remanded into the custody of Ontario Correctional Services. The NRPS would like to thank the community members who observed the dangerous driving habits of the suspect and contacted 9-1-1 to report the suspicion of impaired driving.
