Fort Erie Armed Robbery Arrest: Security Cameras for Business

If you run a business in Fort Erie, this one hits close to home.

On Friday, January 23rd, a convenience store on Bertie Street near North Street was robbed at gunpoint. A man walked in around 7:40 in the evening, pulled out what appeared to be a handgun, and demanded cash from the clerk. The clerk handed over the money. The suspect took off in a black sedan, heading north on High Street.

Less than a week later, Niagara Regional Police made an arrest.

On January 29th, 2026, detectives charged 27-year-old Patrick Sassano of Fort Erie with robbery using a firearm, disguised with intent, and possession of an imitation weapon. He's in custody and scheduled to appear at the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse in St. Catharines on February 3rd.

How Did Police Identify the Suspect?

Here's the part that matters if you're a business owner in Fort Erie.

When the robbery happened, police immediately asked local residents and businesses in the Bertie Street area to check their video surveillance footage. That's not a coincidence. That's how these cases get solved. A grainy description of a guy in a brown jacket and red toque doesn't give investigators much to work with. But clear video footage from a security camera? That's evidence. That's a face. That's a timeline. That's a conviction. This is exactly why professional video monitoring matters.

We don't know exactly what footage helped crack this case, but the timeline speaks for itself. Six days from robbery to arrest. That doesn't happen without good intel, and in 2026, good intel usually means good video.

This Could Have Been Your Store

Convenience stores, gas stations, retail shops, restaurants—these are the businesses that get hit. They handle cash. They're open late. They often have one employee working alone. A proper business alarm system with video surveillance is the bare minimum for these types of operations. The Bertie Street store isn't unique. It's just the one that made the news this week.

If you own or manage a business in Fort Erie, Ridgeway, Crystal Beach, Stevensville, or anywhere along the Garrison Road corridor, ask yourself: if someone walked into your store tonight and robbed you, what would you have to show police tomorrow?

Would you have clear footage of the suspect's face? Their vehicle? The license plate? Or would you have nothing but a shaky description and a lot of frustration?

What Fort Erie Businesses Actually Need

I'm not going to tell you that a camera would have prevented this robbery. Criminals do what criminals do. But here's what proper commercial security systems actually provide for Fort Erie businesses:

• Evidence that leads to arrests — Like what (likely) happened in this case
• Deterrence — Most thieves skip the store with visible security cameras and hit the one without
• Remote monitoring — Check on your business from home, from Buffalo, from anywhere
• Insurance documentation — When you file a claim, footage proves what happened
• Employee safety — Pair cameras with a monitored alarm system for complete protection
• 24/7 monitoring — You can't be there around the clock, but our monitoring centre can watch for you

The Border Town Factor

Fort Erie sits right on the US border. That's great for business, but it also creates security considerations that don't exist in other Niagara towns. Traffic flows through constantly. People pass through who don't live here and won't be seen again. The Peace Bridge brings opportunity for local businesses—but it also brings exposure.

That's not fearmongering. That's just reality. And it's why security cameras, alarm systems, access control, and professional monitoring matter more here than in a lot of other places.

Don't Wait Until Something Happens

Every business owner I talk to who finally installs a security system says the same thing: "I should have done this years ago." Nobody regrets having cameras. Plenty of people regret not having them when they needed them.

If you run a convenience store, retail shop, restaurant, or any business in Fort Erie that handles cash or inventory, now's the time to get serious about security. Not after the next robbery. Now.

Force Security serves Fort Erie, Niagara Falls, St. Catharines, Welland, Port Colborne, Hamilton, Burlington, and communities across the Niagara Region. View all service areas.