Investigation into multi-vehicle collision leads to charges

February 19, 2026

TB26006283


A multi-vehicle collision in Thunder Bay has led to charges.
 
Officers with the Thunder Bay Police Service Primary Response Unit were on patrol in the Arthur Street area on February 16, 2026, when they observed a pickup truck driving at over 100 kilometres per hour in a residential area.
 
Officers observed the vehicle driving at a high rate of speed on the sidewalk along Empire Avenue, striking at least eight vehicles, multiple fences, trees, shrubs, and a fire hydrant.
 
The vehicle came to a stop after colliding with a snowbank and a sign.
 
The Traffic Unit became involved in the ongoing investigation.
 
As a result of the investigation, 18-year-old Michael WOODS JR, is facing the following charges under the Highway Traffic Act, Cannabis Control Act, and Criminal Code of Canada:
 
• Operation while impaired – alcohol and drugs 
• Dangerous operation 
• Flight from peace officer 
• Drive motor vehicle – perform stunt 
• Disobey stop sign – fail to stop (three counts) 
• Fail to surrender insurance card 
• Driver fail to surrender licence 
• Fail to surrender permit for motor vehicle 
• Person under 19 years – possess cannabis 
• Fail to notify change of address 
• Drive vehicle or boat with cannabis readily available 
• Class G1 license holder – unaccompanied by qualified driver
 
The accused has been released from custody with a future court date.

Charges laid following investigation on Thunder Bay's north end

March 31, 2026
TB26011496 A Thunder Bay Police Service Primary Response Unit investigation has led to multiple arrests and charges. On March 28, 2026, officers were sent to a home on Huron Avenue in response to a call regarding an injured individual. When officers arrived, they located an injured man who was transported to a local hospital for treatment. As a result of the investigation, 28-year-old Margaret DIABO from Thunder Bay, and 25-year-old Jayden LACHINETTE are facing the following charges: • Assault with a weapon (two counts) • Forcible confinement (two counts) LACHINETTE has also been charged with failure to comply with an undertaking and failure to comply with a release order. Both of the accused were remanded into custody after their first court appearance.

Drug trafficking investigation leads to charges

March 30, 2026
A Thunder Bay Police Service (TBPS) investigation has resulted in multiple arrests and charges. On March 27, 2026, officers with the Primary Response Unit were sent to a home on Ogden Street in response to a call for service. The TBPS Intelligence Unit became involved in the investigation. As part of the investigation, officers searched a home in the area. During the search of the home officers located and seized a handgun, suspected cocaine, cash, and other items associated with drug trafficking. As a result of the investigation, 35-year-old Lindberg BAXTER of Thunder Bay and 35-year-old Jordan BEAUDOIN of Thunder Bay are facing the following charges: • Assault (two counts) • Possession of a Schedule 1 substance for the purpose of trafficking (cocaine) • Possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000 • Unauthorized possession of weapon • Knowledge of unauthorized possession of firearm • Possession of a prohibited device or ammunition • Careless storage of firearm, weapon, or prohibited device (two counts) • Possession of firearm or ammunition contrary to prohibition order (two counts) • Forcible confinement BEAUDOIN has also been charged with fail to comply with a probation order. Natasha MENEANO-CHEESEQUAY, a 34-year-old of Thunder Bay is also facing the following charges: • Possession of a Schedule 1 substance for the purpose of trafficking • Possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000 • Unauthorized possession of weapon • Knowledge of unauthorized possession of firearm • Possession of a prohibited device or ammunition • Careless storage of firearm, weapon, prohibited device or ammunition • Fail to comply with probation order All three of the accused were remanded into custody after their first court appearance.

Charges laid following cyber crime investigation

March 26, 2026
TB25020936 The Thunder Bay Police Service is looking to identify potential additional victims following a Cyber Crime Unit and Major Crime Unit investigation. Following a report of an adult soliciting illicit images from a minor in the city, an investigation led to a suspect being identified. As part of the investigation, on February 25, 2026, officers searched a home on Thunder Bay’s north end. During the search a number of electronic devices and a vehicle were seized. On March 12, 2026, the suspect was located and arrested by the Thunder Bay Police Service Break Enter Armed Robbery Unit (BEAR). As a result of the investigation, 28-year-old Matthew STEWART of Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: • Luring a person under 18 years of age by means of telecommunication • Sexual interference • Invitation to sexual touching under 16 years of age • Sexual assault on a person under 16 years of age • Luring a person under 16 years of age by means of telecommunication (three counts) The accused was remanded into custody after their first court appearance. Anyone who has experienced concerning activity involving the Snapchat accounts Johnnysnowpl4ug or MattStew456 is asked to contact police. The Thunder Bay Police Service is continuing to investigate the matter and is looking to identify additional potential victims. 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. 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.