Police caution drivers to have proper, visible licence plates displayed

August 14, 2025

The Thunder Bay Police Service is reminding motorists of the requirement to have two clearly visible licence plates affixed to their vehicles.


The Thunder Bay Police Service utilizes Automated Licence Plate Recognition (ALPR) technology, which alerts officers with notifications for vehicles being sought as part of an investigation, or for vehicles with a registered owner subject to a driving prohibition or driver's licence suspension.


Having licence plates with obstructed visibility, or not being properly displayed, interferes with both the effectiveness of this technology as well as the ability for officers to visually identify a vehicle of interest.


Under the Highway Traffic Act, a licence plate that is not plainly visible is a chargeable offence and carries a fine of up to $110. This includes having a licence plate where the view is blocked by equipment like a spare tire or bumper bar, a tinted cover, covered in dirt, or has missing or faded characters.


As well, most vehicles are required to display both front and rear licence plates. Failure to do is also a Highway Traffic Act infraction, with a set fine of $85.


Displaying an incorrect licence plate is also subject to a fine under the Highway Traffic Act.

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SIU concludes Thunder Bay investigation

December 31, 2025
The Special Investigations Unit announced it has closed its investigation into an incident involving a Thunder Bay Police Service officer that occurred in September 2025. The SIU found no basis to believe that any officer committed a criminal offence and concluded its investigation. With the conclusion of the SIU investigation, the Thunder Bay Police Service will now commence its required administrative review in accordance with Section 81 of the Community Safety and Policing Act. The purpose of the administrative investigation is to review member conduct, the policing provided, and procedures all as they relate to the incident. This administrative review will be reported to the Thunder Bay Police Service Board upon completion. The Special Investigations Unit media release can be viewed online: https://www.siu.on.ca/siu-concludes-investigation-into-thunder-bay-collision-en10888

Charges laid following hit and run collision

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TB25035077 Charges have been laid following a Thunder Bay Police Service (TBPS) investigation into a hit and run collision. On September 1, 2025 officers responded to a collision at the intersection of May Street North and Finlayson Street. Upon arrival officers located two damaged cars, but only one driver. The other driver had fled the scene. It was determined that the driver that fled the scene failed to pull over for a traffic stop prior to the collision. Further investigation led to the missing driver being located and arrested on December 15, 2025, by the Repeat Offender Parole Enforcement (ROPE) with the assistance of TBPS. As a result, 54-year-old Eric LINDSTROM is facing the following charges in relation to the September 01, 2025 collision: • Operation while prohibited • Flight from peace officer • Dangerous operation causing bodily harm • Fail to stop at scene of accident resulting in bodily harm • Obstruct / resist peace officer • Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 • Breach of probation • Possession of a Schedule 1 substance (cocaine) • Possession of a Schedule 1 substance (fentanyl) • Breach of Release Order During the Thunder Bay Police Service investigation $10,405.00 in cash was seized along with a 2.24g of fentanyl valued at roughly $560. During the December 15, 2025 arrest, TBPS officers seized an additional $5560.30 in cash along with 263 grams of suspected meth, 41 grams of suspected fentanyl and 11 grams of suspected cocaine leading to several additional charges being laid against Eric LINDSTROM including: • Operation while prohibited • Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 • Possession of a Controlled Substance (Fentanyl) for the Purpose of Trafficking • Possession of a Controlled Substance (Cocaine) for the Purpose of Trafficking • Possession of a Controlled Substance (Meth) for the Purpose of Trafficking • Weapons Dangerous (Pepper Spray) • Breach of Release Order • Fail to Comply with Probation The total street value of the drugs seized during the arrest is $48,170. The accused remains in custody with a future court date.