THUNDER BAY – Police have arrested a Thunder Bay man after he evaded officers in two different stolen vehicles on Monday.
In addition to facing charges related to those incidents, the Thunder Bay Police Service said in a release Tuesday more charges are expected as the man is considered a suspect in other recently reported vehicle thefts and break and enters in the Mapleward Road area.
Nathan Hutchinson, 32, of Thunder Bay, is accused of attempting to flee police twice, allegedly assaulting a police dog during one of those attempts.
Officers first encountered Hutchinson while conducting traffic enforcement in the McKenzie Street area around 8:30 a.m. on Monday, noting the suspect was driving a pickup truck known to be stolen.
Hutchinson allegedly took off “at a high rate of speed and in a manner that was dangerous to the public” after spotting police, who opted not to pursue in the interest of public safety.
The truck was located unoccupied in the 100 block of Franklin Street around 8:50 a.m.
The force says Hutchinson was also involved in a second flight from police Monday evening, when officers attempting to stop a stolen SUV on Simpson Street just before 5:15 p.m., but that pursuit was also discontinued to preserve public safety.
Police later learned the suspect had been involved in a single-vehicle collision with the stolen SUV in the 300 block of North Norah Street, and had fled the area on foot.
A search with assistance from the K9 Unit brought police to a residence in the 200 block of Norah Street, where the suspect allegedly had “entered a home unwelcomed.”
The suspect fled the home on foot, pursued by the K9 Unit. Police say the male “attempted to assault the K9 police dog in an effort to avoid arrest” before being taken into custody.
At police headquarters, officers discovered Hutchinson was in possession of six sets of motor vehicle keys, which the TBPS says helped connect him to multiple recent thefts in the Mapleward Road area.
The force said it is also “following up on” multiple break and enter incidents that occurred recently in the Mapleward Road area after making the arrest.
Police are asking area residents who were the victim of break-ins to review a photo of two sets of keys (pictured above) that remain unidentified. Anyone who recognizes the keys is urged to call police at (807) 684-1200.
Police believe there could be more victims linked to this investigation. If you live in the Mapleward Road area and believe you have been the victim of a recent break and enter or theft, please contact police to make a report.
Hutchinson stands charged with two counts of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, two counts of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, seven counts of possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000, flight from peace officer, resisting a peace officer, unlawfully in dwelling, and two counts of failing to comply with a probation order.
Hutchinson appeared in bail court on Tuesday and was remanded into custody with a future appearance date.
