Sister’s charges upgraded to murder after Grimsby slaying

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A 56-year-old woman is now charged with murder after her sister was found dead more than a year ago in the home they shared near Grimsby.

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Niagara Regional Police were called at about noon on April 26, 2024, to a home in Smithville, south of Grimsby.

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Cops found an adult female dead inside the home and turned the investigation over to the homicide unit, which identified the victim as Cathy Prosje, 62.

On Oct. 10, 2024, police announced the arrest of Joseph Villneff, 43, and charged him with first-degree murder. The victim’s sister Carolyn Prosje, 56, was charged with accessory after the fact to murder on Jan. 9.

Prosje’s charges were upgraded Tuesday to include first-degree murder as well.

During the investigation, police said they launched a secondary probe and laid possession of child pornography and voyeurism charges against Villneff on June 27.

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Anyone with information who may further assist with this investigation can contact 905-688-4111, option 3, Ext. 1009533.

2 ACCUSED OF ASSAULT ON TTC BUS

Police say they have charged two suspects accused of an assault on a TTC bus in East York that left the victim with serious injuries.

Toronto Police said officers responded to an assault call at about 11:45 p.m. on June 28 in the Cosburn-Broadview Aves. area after the suspects approached the victim and started yelling at him. The suspects then allegedly assaulted the victim and pushed him out of the bus before fleeing.

Cops said the victim sustained serious, but non-life threatening injuries.

Charles Cowan, 25, and Chelsea King, 24, both of Toronto, were arrested Tuesday and charged with assault causing bodily harm.

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TEEN WANTED FOR WELLAND STABBING

Police in Niagara are seeking an 18-year-old and two minors in connection with a stabbing earlier this week in Welland.

While providing few details about the circumstances and location of the stabbing, Niagara Regional Police detectives identified three suspects.

While two of the accused are under the age of 18 and cannot be identified, Ava Gallagher, 18, of Welland is wanted for aggravated assault and theft under $5,000.

Anybody with information is asked to call 905-688-4111, Ext. 1005610, or Crime Stoppers.

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NIAGARA FALLS MAN NABBED IN CHILD LURING PROBE

A 68-year-old Niagara Falls man is accused of attempting to lure children over the internet.

Commencing in June, Niagara Regional Police detectives began investigating reports of a man attempting to communicate with a child under the age of 16 for sexual purposes. Detectives then posed as an underage person to continue communicating with the accused, leading to Tuesday’s arrest.

Paul Derose is charged with luring a child online to facilitate both sexual interference and sexual assault.

Anybody with information is asked to call police or Crime Stoppers.

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DRIVER CHARGED WITH IMPAIRED OPERATION, COKE POSSESSION

A 38-year-old Brampton man faces drug and impaired driving charges after an arrest near Barrie.

At about noon on Tuesday, OPP officers responded to Young St. in Essa Township, about 30 km. southwest of Barrie, after witnesses reported seeing a motorist unable to stand after exiting their vehicle.

The accused, whom the OPP declined to name, faces impaired driving and cocaine possession charges.

— With files from Bryan Passifiume.

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