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.
A Thunder Bay Police Service investigation called Project Eclipse has led to the seizure of over $39,000 in stolen items and 256 charges. The Thunder Bay Police Service Break, Enter, and Armed Robbery (BEAR) Unit led the investigation. The successful completion of this lengthy investigation was made possible through funding provided by the Ontario Government, Ministry of the Solicitor General in which the Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario supported this investigation. The investigation began in September 2025, running through February 2026. The project investigated thefts and robberies from numerous businesses in Thunder Bay. As a result of the investigation, the following charges have been laid: Edward HOGAN, 45, from Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: • Theft under $5,000 - shoplifting (three counts) • Fail to comply with probation order (six counts) • Trafficking in property obtained by crime • Fraud under $5,000 Aren POULIN, 31, from Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: • Theft under $5,000 - shoplifting • Fail to comply with probation order Christine PAULSON, 27, of Thunder Bay has been charged with theft under $5,000. Cody ALEXSON, 32, from Thunder Bay has been charged with theft under $5,000. Bradley Aho, 43, from Thunder Bay, is facing the following charges: • Theft under $5,000 - shoplifting • Fail to comply with probation order Shaun TAYLOR, 42, from St Catharines is facing the following charges: • Theft under $5,000 - shoplifting (three counts) Christian NEEKAN, 32, from Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: • Theft under $5,000 (two counts) Brandon THIBAULT, 31, from Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: • Theft under $5,000 – shoplifting (two counts) Mervyn MEEKIS, 30, from Thunder Bay has been charged with theft under $5,000 - shoplifting. Cory TOAL, 48, of Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: • Possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000 (three counts) • Trafficking in property obtained by crime Jeffrey LEWIS, 47, from Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: • Trafficking in property obtained by crime • Possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000 (two counts) Jordan FISHER, 34, of Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: • Breach of recognizance • Failure to comply with release order • Failure to comply with undertaking • Theft under $5,000 – shoplifting Leela JOURDAIN, 40, of Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: • Theft under $5,000 – shoplifting (three counts) • Fail to comply with probation order (three counts) Sonny PATAYASH, 32, from Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: • Theft under $5,000 - shoplifting (three counts) Maggie WABASSE, 33, of Thunder Bay has been charged with theft under $5,000 - shoplifting. Richard PARKER, 31, of Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: • Theft under $5,000 - shoplifting (nine counts) • Fail to comply with probation order (nine counts) Adam BABOOLAL, 42, of Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: • Theft under $5,000 - shoplifting (five counts) • Trafficking in property obtained by crime • Fraud under $5,000 Carolyn COASTER, 33, of Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: • Theft under $5,000 – shoplifting (two counts) Drew MITCHELL, 31, from Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: • Theft under $5,000 – shoplifting • Assault with a weapon • Fail to comply with a probation order Harlan NANOKEESIC, 33, of Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: • Theft under $5,000 – shoplifting • Fail to comply with probation order Frances WABASSE, 33, of Thunder Bay has been charged with theft under $5,000 – shoplifting. Leo MANNING, 30, of Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: • Theft under $5,000 – shoplifting (three counts) • Fail to comply with probation order (four counts) Ralph ACKABEE, 42, of Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: • Theft under $5,000 - shoplifting • Obstruct peace officer Geraldine INEESE, 39, of Thunder Bay has been charged with theft under $5,000. Gary MATHEWS, 42, of Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: • Theft under $5,000 - shoplifting • Obstruct peace officer • Fail to comply with probation order Lester BOUCHARD, 49, from Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: • Theft under $5,000 – shoplifting (two charges) • Assault Kelsie COLLINS, 38, from Thunder Bay has been charged with theft under $5,000 – shoplifting. Justin ESQUEGA, 32, of Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: • Theft under $5,000 – shoplifting (two counts) • Possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000 • Assault a peace officer • Resist a peace officer • Fail to comply with probation order (two counts) Robert CAUL, 42, of Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: • Theft under $5,000 – shoplifting • Fail to comply with probation order Samantha FOX, 34, of Thunder Bay has been charged with theft under $5,000 – shoplifting. Bonnie THOMAS, 34, from Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: • Theft under $5,000 – shoplifting (three counts) • Possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000 • Fail to comply with probation order (three counts) Marly KAKEKAYASH, 35, of Thunder Bay has been charged with theft under $5,000 - shoplifting. Colton CORMIER, 31, of Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: • Assault • Theft under $5,000 – shoplifting • Obstruct peace officer • Fail to comply with probation order(nine counts) Jason ANDERSON, 37, from Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: • Theft under $5,000 • Fail to comply with probation order Jose MENDOZA CHICAS, 46, of Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: • Theft under $5,000 – shoplifting (three counts) Ryland BRISKA, 35, from Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: • Theft under $5,000 (four counts) Fawn TOSET, 43, of Thunder Bay has been charged with theft under $5,000. Rachel ANDERSON, 50, of Thunder Bay and Samantha MUNROE, 33, of Thunder Bay have been charged with theft under $5,000. Jordin FLYNN, 40, of Thunder Bay has been charged with theft under $5,000 – shoplifting. Peter-James ARNOLD, 40, from Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: • Theft under $5,000 – shoplifting (six counts) • Trafficking in property obtained by crime (four counts) • Fraud under $5,000 (three counts) Kendra WAINWRIGHT, 33, from Thunder Bay has been charged with theft under $5,000. Jason MORGAN, 50, of Thunder Bay has been charged with theft under $5,000. Jonah THOMAS, 33, of Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: • Theft under $5,000 - shoplifting (two counts) • Fail to comply with probation order (four counts) • Fail to comply with undertaking Corey ESSLEMONT, 39, of Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: • Theft under $5,000 – shoplifting (three counts) • Fail to comply with undertaking (three counts) • Fail to comply with probation order (three counts) • Trafficking in property obtained by crime (two counts) • Fraud under $5,000 Jeffrey PERREAULT, 53, of Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: • Theft under $5,000 • Uttering threats – cause death or bodily harm • Fail to comply with probation order Travis LOZER, 32, from Thunder Bay has been charged with Fraud under $5000. Keenan MATTINAS, 27, of Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: • Aggravated assault • Possession of weapon for dangerous purpose • Carrying concealed weapon • Disobeying order of court • Fail to comply with release order Dalton DEAN, 24, from Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: • Theft under $5,000 • Fail to comply with probation order John CLEMENZA, 59, from Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: • Theft under $5,000 • Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5,000 Dakota SAGUTCH, 32, of Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: • Break, enter a place – commit indictable offence (four counts) • Disguise with intent (three counts) • Fail to comply with probation order (four counts) Megan TOWEDO, 36, from Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: • Break, enter a place – commit indictable offence (four counts) • Disguise with intent (four counts) Simon ANGECONEB, 30, from Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: • Robbery with violence • Fail to comply with probation order Anthony FRIZZELL, 65, of Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: • Robbery with violence • Disguise with intent (two counts) • Fail to comply with probation order (two counts) • Robbery Steven GERMAIN, 34, from Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: • Theft under $5,000 (two counts) • Fail to comply with probation order (two counts) • Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 Christopher HILL, 37, from Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: • Theft under $5,000 – shoplifting (two counts) • Fail to comply with probation order (four counts) Quinn CHEECHOO, 31, from Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: • Theft under $5,000 – shoplifting • Fail to comply with probation order Brandon STUCKLESS, 33, of Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: • Theft under $5,000 • Dangerous operation Mickey NEALE, 40, of Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: • Theft under $5,000 • Fail to comply with probation order • Fail to comply with release order (two counts) Thomas STARESKI, 44, from Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: • Theft under $5,000 – shoplifting (22 counts) • Trafficking in property obtained by crime • Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 • Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5,000
Update: TB26013520, TB26013636, TB26013331, TB26013233, TB26013087, TB26012596, TB26013449, TB26012768, TB26008439, TB26600553, TB25600502 A Thunder Bay Police Service investigation into multiple vehicle thefts has led to charges. Officers with the Primary Response Unit began the investigation on March 5, 2026, in response to encountering a stolen vehicle. Two suspects in the case fled from officers on more than one occasion during the investigation. Through the investigation, two suspects connected to the vehicle thefts were identified. On April 13, 2026, officers located and arrested a suspect. As a result of the investigation, 35-year-old Jeffrey BARNWELL from Thunder Bay is facing the following charges: • Dangerous operation (four counts) • Flight from peace officer (four counts) • Operation while prohibited (four counts) • Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 • Theft of motor vehicle (two counts) • Fraud under $5,000 • Theft under $5,000 (three counts) • Failure to comply with probation order (four counts) • Failure to comply with release order • Disobey court order • Cause disturbance • Assault with a weapon • Mischief under $5,000 Some of the accused’s charges relate to outstanding warrants. On April 14, 2026, following a police standoff in the Bay Street and Cornwall Avenue area, officers arrested a second suspect. As a result, Bradley TOMECK a 36-year-old from Thunder Bay is also facing the following charges: • Theft of motor vehicle (two counts) • Fail to comply with probation order (five counts) • Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 (three counts) • Possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000 • Dangerous operation • Use of credit card • Operation while prohibited under the criminal code (16 counts)
The Thunder Bay Police Service (TBPS) is launching Project Support, a downtown core stabilization initiative. The project, being led by the Thunder Bay Police Service Community Oriented Response and Engagement (CORE) Unit is aimed at addressing public safety in the city’s downtown cores. The initiative is aimed at connecting those in need to services. The initiative aims to: • Prioritize service connections for people experiencing addiction, mental health challenges, or housing instability • Improve public safety and restore order in shared public spaces • Reduce visible disorder and open drug use in downtown cores • Strengthen collaboration with social service and community partners • Ensure consistent, lawful, and proportionate enforcement “Our approach starts with support. The goal is to meet people where they are, connect them with the right services, and reduce the risks they’re facing,” Operational Support Inspector Jason Rybak. “This isn’t about penalizing poverty or addiction; it’s about improving safety in the downtown cores while focusing enforcement on the individuals who are taking advantage of vulnerable community members.” The initiative is operating in response to ongoing concerns from the business community and the public regarding open drug use, disorderly conduct, vandalism, aggressive behaviours, trespassing, and related impacts on safety, economic activity, and community confidence. This will be carried out through increased foot patrols. The project will begin on April 20, 2026, in downtown cores with patrols focused on: • Transit stops • BIA storefronts • Public plazas • Parking areas • Commercial areas • Pedestrian walking areas • Public gathering areas During patrols, the first step of contact will be a TBPS Social Navigator or Community Inclusion Team Coordinator offering referrals to appropriate services like housing, or addiction supports. Criminal enforcement is the last option and may be pursued if disruptive or illegal behaviours in share public spaces in downtown cores persist.
