Crash results in impaired, dangerous driving charges

August 5, 2025

TB25030853

A 32-year-old man has been arrested for impaired driving for the second time in less than three weeks, with the most recent incident involving a single-vehicle crash where it's believed the driver had tried racing a train to a railway crossing.


Thunder Bay Police Service Primary Response officers were dispatched to the area of Crawford Avenue and Gore Street shortly after 8 p.m. on Sunday, August 3, after receiving multiple reports of a motor vehicle collision that had just occurred.


Information from witnesses indicated that the vehicle had been travelling at a high rate of speed towards the railway crossing where a train was approaching when it became airborne and the driver lost control, crashing into a utility pole.


The driver of the vehicle attempted to run from responding officers but was taken into custody after a brief foot chase. Officers observed multiple signs of impairment from the driver, and located open alcohol containers and paraphernalia consistent with drug use inside the vehicle. The licence plate attached to the vehicle had been stolen.


One of the three passengers in the vehicle sustained injuries that are considered serious but not life threatening.


Mitchell CHARLIE, 32, is charged with the following:

• Impaired Operation of a Motor Vehicle Causing Bodily Harm

• Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle Causing Bodily Harm

• Prohibited Operation of a Motor Vehicle

• Resisting Arrest

• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000

• Breach of Probation

• Breach of Release Order


The accused also faces multiple Highway Traffic Act charges.


The accused appeared in court and has been remanded into custody with a future appearance date.

Thunder Bay cyber crime investigation leads to charges

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TB25028861 A Thunder Bay Police Service investigation into Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Material (CSAEM) has led to charges. Thunder Bay’s Cyber Crime Unit began the investigation on July 21, 2025, after receiving a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), via the National Child Exploitation Crime Centre (NCECC). Officers searched a home on Thunder Bay’s south end on November 28, 2025. Several electronic devices were seized. As a result of the investigation, 28-year-old Jayden Belanger from Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: • Possession of child sexual abuse and exploitation material • Access any child sexual abuse and exploitation material The accused has been released from custody with a future court date. The Thunder Bay Police Service recognizes that parents and caregivers are the frontline when it comes to protecting children on the Internet and electronic devices. We encourage you to remain vigilant in your efforts. Tips for talking to your kids can be found, and reporting of any online exploitation can also be made, at Canada’s National Tipline for Reporting the Online Sexual Exploitation of Children at cybertip.ca. There are also resources available through the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health for those who have a sexual interest in children. The new Talking for Change ( https://talkingforchange.ca/ ) program is the first of its kind in Canada and provides national and all-ages help for those concerned about their risk to use child sexual exploitation material or offend sexually against a child. Anyone with information that could assist investigators is asked to please contact Detective Constable Joel Manherz at (807) 684-1200 ext. 4115. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, online at www.p3tips.com .

Police investigation on Thunder Bay’s south end leads to charges

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TB26005280 A Thunder Bay Police investigation has led to charges. Officers with the Primary Response Unit responded to a call for service on Thunder Bay’s south end on February 9, 2026, in response to possible voyeurism. During the investigation it was determined that a hidden camera had been installed in a home while a suspect was providing renovation work. Further investigation led to a suspect being located and arrested. As a result, 44-year-old James, JAATINEN from Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: • Voyeurism • Mischief – Obstruct, interrupts or interferes with any person in lawful use, enjoyment or operation of property The accused has been released from custody with a future court date. The Cyber Crime Unit is involved in the ongoing investigation. Anyone with information that could assist investigators is asked to please contact Detective Constable Joel Manherz at (807) 684-1200 ext. 4115. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, online at www.p3tips.com . 

Thunder Bay Police Service investigating criminal harassment

February 7, 2026
TB26003763, TB26003756, TB26004039 The Thunder Bay Police Service is continuing an investigation into criminal harassment. Officers began an investigation into a suspicious vehicle on January 28, 2026, following multiple reports about the vehicle – a silver older model of Dodge Ram pickup truck. A person in the same truck has been seen attempting to pick up females in Thunder Bay’s downtown cores. The driver is described as an Indigenous male, roughly 40-50 years-old, with a heavy build and a shaved head. The Major Crime Unit, Community Oriented Response and Engagement Unit (CORE), and the Break and Enter and Armed Robbery (BEAR) Unit became involved in the ongoing investigation. Officers with the BEAR Unit located and arrested a suspect in the case on January 30, 2026. The Thunder Bay Police Service is looking for other victims that may have been impacted. A tip line (807) - 701 - 5417 has been established. Those providing information to the tip line must include their name and phone number so investigators can follow up. If you wish to provide information anonymously, please contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, or online at www.p3tips.com.