News
MEDIA RELEASES
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TB26005531 A Thunder Bay Police Service drug trafficking investigation has led to charges. Officers with the Intelligence Unit with the assistance of the Emergency Task Unit searched a home on Syndicate Avenue North on February 10, 2026. During the search, two individuals in the home were arrested. Suspected cocaine and fentanyl were also seized along with more than $5,000 in cash. As a result of the investigation, 20-year-old Nash JAAZANIAH from Toronto and 65-year-old Cliffton GRATZKI from Thunder Bay are facing the following charges: • Possession of a Schedule 1 substance for the purpose of trafficking - cocaine • Possession of a Schedule 1 substance for the purpose of trafficking – opioid • Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime over $5,000 • Obstruct peace officer Both accused are being held in custody with a future court date.
TB25037456, TB25050666, TB26000165, and TB25042394 Charges have been laid following a Thunder Bay Police Service (TBPS) investigation into two robberies on Thunder Bay’s north end. Officers received a report of a robbery taking place on Cumberland Street South just after noon on December 30, 2025. Officers spoke to staff and determined there were no injuries, and that the suspect had left the scene. TBPS Break and Enter, Armed Robbery (BEAR) Unit became involved in the ongoing investigation. On January 2, 2026, officers responded to a separate business in the Algoma Street area in response to another robbery that was in progress. When officers responded to the area, the suspect had already left the scene. Further investigation led to the BEAR Unit identifying a suspect. The suspect was located and arrested on January 30, 2026, by the TBPS Emergency Task Unit with the assistance of the Ontario Provincial Police. As a result of the investigation, 64-year-old Anthony FRIZZELL of Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: • Robbery with theft • Disguise with intent (two counts) • Fail to comply with probation order (three counts) • Robbery with violence (two counts) • Assault causing bodily harm • Uttering threats – cause death or bodily harm • Forcible confinement • Cruelty to animals – unnecessary pain, suffering or injury Some of these charges were laid in connection to outstanding warrants, not directly related to the December 30, 2025, and January 2, 2026, robberies. The accused was remanded into custody after their first court appearance.
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 .
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 .
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.
TB26004504 A Thunder Bay Police Service drug trafficking investigation has led to the seizure of suspected illegal drugs and charges. Officers with the Intelligence Unit searched a home on Margaret Street on February, 03, 2026, as part of the investigation. During the search suspected cocaine, fentanyl, cash, and other items associated with drug trafficking were seized. Two people in the home were also arrested. As a result of the investigation, 55-year-old Lynda MCCALLUM from Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: • Possession of a Schedule 1 substance for the purpose of trafficking – cocaine • Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5,000 • Failure to comply with release order MCCALLUM remains in custody with a future court date. The second suspect has been released with a future court date and is not being named until their charges are read before the court.
TB26004395 A Thunder Bay Police Service investigation into a shooting incident has led to charges. Officers with the Primary Response Unit were sent to the Vale Crescent area on February 02, 2026, around 10:45 p.m. Officers located an injured victim who was transported to a local hospital for further treatment. The Major Crime Unit became involved in the investigation and identified a suspect. Officers with the Major Crime, Break and Enter and Robbery, Emergency Task, and Intelligence Units arrested a youth offender on February 05, 2026 in the Dawson Road area. As a result, a 17-year-old is facing the following charges: • Attempt to commit murder using firearm • Robbery with intent (two counts) • Reckless discharge of a firearm • Knowledge of unauthorized possession of firearm • Unauthorized possession of a firearm • Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose • Pointing a firearm • Possession of firearm or ammunition contrary to a prohibition order The accused also has additional outstanding warrants with the Thunder Bay Police Service. They remain in custody with a future court date.
TB25047433 A Thunder Bay Police Service investigation has led to charges. The Cyber Crime Unit began the investigation on December 3, 2025, after receiving a report. Officers identified a suspect who self-surrendered at the Thunder Bay Police Station on January 20, 2026. As a result of the investigation, 19-year-old Kayden Southerland is facing the following charges: • Sexual Interference • Invitation to Sexual Touching Under 16 Years of Age • Sexual Assault on a Person Under 16 Years of Age • Make Sexually Explicit Material Available to a Person Under 16 Years of Age The accused was remanded into custody after their first court appearance. 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.
TB25008802 A Thunder Bay Police Service investigation into child sexual abuse and exploitation material (CSAEM) has led to charges. The Cyber Crime Unit began the investigation on March 7, 2025, after receiving a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). According to the tip on January 4, 2025 someone uploaded images consistent with the Criminal Code definition of Child Pornography. The investigation led to searches of homes in the Murillo area and Thunder Bay’s south end. Several electronic devices were seized. The suspect self-surrendered on February 4, 2026. As a result of the investigation, 36-year-old Robert SZCZEPANSKI has been charged with: • Access child sexual abuse and exploitation material The accused was released 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 Brian STEWART at (807) 696-0192. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, online at www.p3tips.com.
TB26004395 A continued police presence is expected in the Vale Crescent and James Street area. The Thunder Bay Police Service is investigating a weapons incident that occurred on February 02, 2026, around 10:45 p.m. When officers responded to the area, an injured victim was located and transported to a local hospital for further treatment. The Major Crime Unit is involved in the ongoing investigation. No further information is available at this time. Updates will be provided when they become available.
Latest Messages From the Chief
I take my responsibility to the community seriously. Asking for a budget increase isn’t easy, and people deserve to understand why it’s needed and what value they get for their tax dollars. For 2026, the Thunder Bay Police Service is requesting a 9.1% net operating budget increase. The bottom line is simple: the community is asking for more police resources, experts agree they’re needed, and the data shows they make a real difference in public safety. Calls for service continue to rise, and the nature of those calls is changing. In 2024, 60% of our calls were high-priority (Priority 1–3), meaning there was an immediate threat to life or serious injury. Nearly one in four calls were Priority 1 — the most serious, often involving weapons. These calls require two or more officers and can tie up resources for hours, which affects response times for other calls. Every call matters, but increasing high-risk calls are putting real pressure on the system. We work closely with more than 30 local partners through the City’s Community Safety and Well-Being Plan to prevent crime and support people’s success. Programs like School Resource Officers, the IMPACT mental-health response team, social navigation supports, and youth engagement initiatives help prevent harm, connect people to services, and reduce pressure on the front line. Many are grant-funded, but we need the capacity to sustain and support them. Our budget request reflects what we’re hearing from the community. In the most recent Community Satisfaction Surveys, 88% of respondents said more police presence and faster response times are the most important ways to keep Thunder Bay safe, and crime is the top issue residents want Council to address. An independent staffing review also strongly recommended increasing front-line officers. We’re listening. This budget will increase our deployable workforce — meaning more officers available to respond. This investment helps maintain safe service levels, reduce overtime, and support officer wellness. We also serve up to 30,000 more people than official numbers suggest — which impacts calls, response times, and costs. Even so, our service delivery costs are lower than most peers, and our crime clearance rates exceed provincial and national averages. We use grants, partnerships, special constables, and technology to stay efficient — but efficiency has limits. Minimal increases are no longer sustainable here. That’s why I am requesting a 9.1% increase. I strongly support and applaud City Council’s strategy to boost population and economic growth. To attract residents and businesses, safety must come first. This budget is about keeping pace with community needs, protecting public safety, and continuing to deliver strong, evidence-based results with responsible use of public funds.
Latest The Shift
Multi-unit calls on the rise There has been a steady growth in the number of times multiple officers are needed to respond to a call for service.
