THUNDER BAY — Police are looking for two people after an officer was assaulted when two ATV riders were spotted driving dangerously in the city.
Officers were dispatched to the area of High Street and Oliver Road around 1 a.m. Saturday when reports came in that two males were on an ATV without helmets. The suspects repeatedly fled officers who attended the call.
Police spotted the riders going south on Memorial Avenue, approaching Central Avenue and then veering into a parking lot along the way.
While officers were attempting to stop the drivers, the suspects sped away onto Memorial Avenue and nearly collided with another vehicle in the process.
According to a city police release, the suspects and the vehicle were tracked to an area near Logan Avenue.
While attempting to make an arrest, an officer attempted to restrain one of the suspects but was assaulted and dragged as the suspects drove away.
The ATV is described as a 1990 to 1995 Polaris Trail Boss 350 ATV, primarily red in colour with grey fender flares. It also had red front and rear racks, with a larger black-coloured rear rack affixed to the base of the red rack. It also had an LED light bar affixed to the front rack.
TBPS has released images of both of the suspects and a representation of the ATVs in question.
The suspects are described as two males believed to be between the ages of 16 and 20.
The driver had a medium to heavy build and was wearing a “Boon” style hat with earflaps and a light brown jacket.
The passenger was wearing black clothing with a Vans camouflage backpack.
Police are asking anyone in the areas north of Central Avenue — including the vicinity of Hammarskjold High School, Boys and Girls Clubs of Thunder Bay, Centennial Park, Nordmin Engineering, and Strathcona Golf Course — who has property damage consistent with ATV tire impressions to contact police.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at (807) 684-1200. Tips can be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.p3tips.com.
