Thunder Bay cyber crime investigation leads to charges

February 11, 2026

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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.

Police investigation on Thunder Bay’s south end leads to charges

February 10, 2026
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 . 

Thunder Bay Police Service investigating criminal harassment

February 7, 2026
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.

Drug trafficking investigation leads to charges

February 6, 2026
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.