Intelligence Unit drug trafficking investigation leads to dozens of charges

TB26030425, TB26030409, TB26030194, TB26030104, TB26029945, TB26029701, TB26029432 A Thunder Bay Police Service Primary Response Unit and Break Enter and Robbery Unit investigation into several robberies has resulted in numerous charges. On July 26, 2026, Primary Response Unit officers were dispatched to a business on May Street North in response to a report of a robbery. The suspect left the scene before officers arrived. Officers obtained video footage from the incident and the investigation continued. On July 28, 2026, officers with the Primary Response Unit were dispatched to a business in the Fort William Road area in response to a report of a robbery. The suspect left the scene before officers arrived. Officers obtained video footage from the incident and the investigation continued. On July 30, 2026, officers with the Primary Response Unit were dispatched to a business in the Arthur Street West area in response to a report of a robbery. The suspect left the scene before officers arrived. Officers obtained video footage from the incident and the investigation continued. On July 31, 2026, officers with the Primary Response Unit were dispatched to a business on Arthur Street West in response to a report of a robbery. The suspect left the scene before officers arrived. Officers reviewed video footage from the incident and the investigation continued. On August 1, 2026, officers with the Primary Response Support Unit followed up on a call for service from July 30, 2026, regarding a robbery at a business on Fort William Road. Officers obtained video footage from the incident and identified that it was the same suspect from the aforementioned robbery investigations started on July 26, July 28, and July 30, 2026. On August 2, 2026, through continued investigation officers with the Primary Response Unit identified the suspect. Later that same day officers with the Primary Response Unit were dispatched to a business on Arthur Street West in response to a weapons call. The suspect left the scene before officers arrived. A search of the area led to the suspect being located and arrested. The Break, Enter, and Robbery (BEAR) Unit became involved in the investigation on August 4, 2026. The BEAR Unit followed up on a call for service from August 1, 2026, regarding a robbery that had occurred at a business in the May Street North area. Later that day officers with the BEAR Unit connected the suspect to additional investigations leading to a re-arrest where more charges were laid. As a result of the investigations, 37-year-old Jacob SAMSON of Webequie First Nation is facing the following charges: · Assault with a weapon (four counts) · Theft under $5,000 – shoplifting (six counts) · Uttering Threats – cause death or bodily harm · Fail to comply with probation order (eight counts) · Failure to comply with release order (seven counts) · Possession of weapon for dangerous purpose (three counts) · Robbery with weapon  The accused was remanded into custody following their first court appearance.

A Thunder Bay Police Service Traffic Unit project has led to numerous Highway Traffic Act (HTA), Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act (CAIA), and Liquor Licence and Control Act (LLCA) charges. Officers were conducting a back-to-school and aggressive driving project between September 6, 2026, and September 11, 2026. Enforcement took place during the morning, afternoon, and evening hours. A total of 276 charges were laid under the HTA, CAIA, and LLCA. Five of the HTA charges were issued for stunt driving by speeding, two of which were for racing a motor vehicle. Over 110 tickets were issued for speeding. Other charges issued include: • Unsafe vehicle • Careless driving • Display screen visible to driver prohibited • Commercial motor vehicle related charges • Suspended driver There were also provincial summonses issued for: • Drive motor vehicle with no licence • Owner operates motor vehicle on a highway with no insurance • Drive motor vehicle with no permit An additional eight Criminal Code charges were also laid including: • Dangerous operation • Operation while impaired (three counts) • Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus) • Failure or refusal to comply with demand • Operation while prohibited