Cyber Crime investigation leads to charges

February 25, 2025

A continued Cyber Crime Unit investigation has led to a local resident facing charges.

The Thunder Bay Police Service Cyber Crime Unit began an investigation in November 2024 after receiving a report that a local internet user was engaged in illegal activity.

 

Police seized multiple electronic devices from the suspect in December 2024.

 

As a result of the investigation, the suspect was arrested on Monday, February 24, and taken into custody.

 

William HEIDRICK, 32, is charged with the following:

 

•             Distribute Intimate Images Without Consent x4

•             Identity Fraud x2

•             Criminal Harassment

•             Breach of Probation x3

•             Breach of Release Order

•             Accessing Child Pornography

•             Luring a Child

•             Making Sexually Explicit Material Available to a Child

 

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


August 1, 2025
The Thunder Bay Police Service is continuing to provide advice to the public on how to avoid being victimized by fraud. Police are encouraging people to take steps to safeguard their accounts to prevent potential scammers from gaining access. One important way to keep accounts secure is to protect ID and password information. Some recommended best practices include choosing a strong password with a combination of numbers, letters and symbols, and to use unique passwords for financial, email, and social media accounts. As well, it’s important to regularly monitor financial accounts to be able to detect any nefarious activity as quickly as possible and to report any breaches to your financial institution immediately.  The Thunder Bay Police Service’s Economic Crime Unit urges residents to speak to family members and friends who may be vulnerable to being targeted by fraud. Prevention is the best protection against fraud. If you are concerned about potential scams and want to learn more, please visit https://www.thunderbaypolice.ca/safety/fraud-prevention or contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre ( http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/ ) To make a fraud/cyber crime online report to the Thunder Bay Police Service, please visit: https://www.services.tryrubicon.com/thunder-bay-police-service/online-reports/report/fraud-cybercrime