Thunder Bay police lay 16 charges against a suspect in reported armed vehicle theft

THUNDER BAY — Thunder Bay police have arrested and laid a slew of charges against a 25-year-old man after an investigation into a reported armed vehicle robbery in February.

In a media release issued on Friday, police said they’ve laid a total of 16 separate charges against the accused after a February incident on Memorial Avenue where occupants of a vehicle reported they had it stolen by a person brandishing what appeared to be a firearm.

Police said they saw the vehicle at the time, but it took off at high speed and officers didn’t pursue, citing public safety.

The incident happened around 5:45 a.m. on February 19, police said. The suspect was arrested on Thursday.

Among other things, the 25-year-old was charged with two counts of pointing a firearm, and one count each of robbery with a firearm, wearing a disguise with intent to commit a crime, theft of a vehicle, fleeing from police, assault and uttering threats.

He also faces a number of other firearm-related offences, motor vehicle operation-related offences and a charge of failing to comply with a probation order.

Police said he has also been charged with breaking and entering as well as mischief and theft under $5,000 for a separate incident that allegedly took place shortly before the reported vehicle theft.

The accused appeared in court Friday and remains in custody with a future court date.