Spring Into Enforcement project results in nearly 250 charges

May 8, 2025

A Thunder Bay Police Service Traffic Unit project has resulted in a total of nearly 250 charges.

Police conducted a two-day Spring Into Enforcement blitz throughout Thunder Bay and Oliver Paipoonge on May 6-7, targeting a variety of problematic driving behaviours that are frequently factors in serious collisions and pose significant danger to the general public.

 

This enforcement activity resulted in a total of 247 charges under the Highway Traffic Act and the Ontario Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act.

 

These included:

• 7 stunt drivers who were exceeding the speed limit by at least 40 kilometres per hour on roadways with posted limits of 50km/h or less.

• 151 speeding tickets, with the majority of these being at least 20km/h over the posted limit and occurring in primarily residential areas.

• 14 for failing to slow down or move over for emergency vehicle, which presents a safety risk for emergency services personnel and has been identified as an ongoing issue during previous traffic initiatives.

• 6 distracted driving

• 4 driving without insurance

• 1 vehicle removed from the roadway for being unfit

• 31 court summons for various offences

 

Of particular concern, one driver was arrested after being found travelling over 90km/h in a 50km/h zone on Balmoral Street prior to 8 a.m. The 40-year-old male driver has been charged with Impaired Operation of a Motor Vehicle, Operation of a Motor Vehicle While Impaired – Blood Alcohol Concentration (80 plus), and Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle, along with other Highway Traffic Act offences.

 

Police issued a three-day alcohol warn range licence suspension to another driver, who was also charged with stunt driving on a roadway with a posted speed limit of 50km/h.

 

In the first quarter of 2025, the Thunder Bay Police Service has seen an increase in high-speed motorists, particularly those considered stunt driving. Motorists found to be stunt driving (speeding by 40 km/h or more on a road with a posted speed limit less than 80km/h) are subject to a 14-day vehicle impoundment and 30-day licence suspension.

 

With the warmer weather, there is an increase in pedestrian, cyclist and motorcyclist traffic. Road safety is a shared responsibility, and a split second delay in reaction time due to excessive speed, inattention, or an unfit vehicle can have catastrophic consequences for other road users.

 

The Thunder Bay Police Service Traffic Unit is dedicated to maintaining road discipline and ensuring that all persons and pedestrians in the City of Thunder Bay and Oliver Paipoonge are permitted to share roadways safely.

Charges laid following drug trafficking investigation

February 12, 2026
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.

Robbery investigation leads to charges

February 12, 2026
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.

Thunder Bay cyber crime investigation leads to charges

February 11, 2026
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 .