Hamilton murder suspect ‘with no means’ arrested in Brantford
After nearly two months on the run wanted for murder, Jheidohn Serieaux was arrested in Brantford Sunday after he allegedly refused to leave a McDonald's restaurant bathroom and police were called.
The 23-year-old is charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of 31-year-old Christopher Sim, who was stabbed outside Mission Services men's shelter in Hamilton this August.
Brantford police were called to the McDonalds on Stanley Street around 7 a.m. Oct. 3 for a man who refused to leave and had been in the bathroom for about 45 minutes, said Det. Sgt. Steve Bereziuk, of the Hamilton police major crime unit.
When officers arrived to arrest the man for trespassing, he allegedly gave a false name. However, one of the officers, sensing something wasn't right, recognized Serieaux from media coverage of the Hamilton murder.
Serieaux was transported back to Hamilton where homicide detectives attempted to interview him, but he was uncooperative, Bereziuk said.
It's not clear how long Serieaux had been in Brantford before his capture.
Sim was ambushed as he walked outside the door of the James Street North shelter around 11:45 a.m. Aug. 8. He was stabbed and stumbled, bleeding, through the parking lot where he collapsed. People tried to help Sim, but his injuries were too serious. He was pronounced dead in hospital.
Sim had been staying at the shelter. Serieaux was not staying there but had no fixed address and was known to frequent shelters in downtown Hamilton.
Homicide detectives allege Serieaux and Sim got into a fight shortly before the attack. Sim thought it was over and was stabbed without warning as he came out the door.
Serieaux proved difficult for police to find. He didn't use social media or a cellphone and disappeared.
Bereziuk said detectives followed up on possible sightings of him, including at a Toronto hotel with the help of Toronto police. Hamilton's fugitive apprehension unit was also looking for him. However, none of the sightings were confirmed until they got the call from Brantford.
Don't know how a guy like him with no means was able to get by for so long," he said.
Police believe he was likely being helped. Bereziuk warned anyone who assisted him could face a charge of accessory after the fact to murder.
Investigators would like to speak with anyone who has information about where Serieaux was staying and whether anyone was helping him.
Anyone with information is asked to call Det. David Brewster, of the major crime unit, at 905-546-4067. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or crimestoppershamilton.com.
Nicole O'Reilly is a Hamilton-based reporter covering crime and justice for The Spectator. Reach her via email: noreilly@thespec.com