Homeless man charged with murder in Thunder Bay break-in

An undated photo of a Thunder Bay Police Service vehicle parked in front of a police building. (File photo/Thunder Bay Police Service/Facebook)

A 24-year-old man with no fixed address has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of a 67-year-old man in Thunder Bay, Ont., last month.

The Thunder Bay Police Service announced the arrest in a news release concluding a multi-day investigation that began on the afternoon of Oct. 30.

Discovery of the victim

Police first responded to a 911 to a local residence at about 3 p.m.

“A 67-year-old deceased male was located at a residence in the 100 block of College Street,” police said in a news release.

The victim was later identified as Maurice Kenneth Bruins of Thunder Bay.

The police service’s major crimes unit took over the investigation, quickly determining that Bruins was likely the victim of an interrupted break-and-enter. Investigators said they believed “this was not a targeted incident.”

Search for a vehicle and suspect

On Nov. 1, Thunder Bay police requested the public’s help in locating a vehicle connected to the homicide.

“Police are asking the public to report any sightings of a 2016 gray Honda CRV with Ontario Licence Plate CTDY 700,” police said, noting the vehicle may have been outside of Thunder Bay.

The same day, in a subsequent news release, police confirmed the vehicle had been located.

The Thunder Bay Police Service thanked the community for their assistance and acknowledged the Ontario Provincial Police for their role in finding the stolen vehicle.

Police believe the accused left the College Street residence in the victim’s vehicle and travelled to a community outside the city, where he committed a separate break-and-enter.

Charges laid

As a result of the continued investigation with the assistance of the forensic identification units, a suspect was identified.

On Nov. 4, the 24-year-old was arrested and charged with second-degree murder and break-and-enter.

The accused appeared in court on Nov. 5 and has been remanded to custody.

“The investigation is ongoing,” said police.

“Further information will be provided as it becomes available.”

Anyone with information related to the incident is asked to contact the Thunder Bay Police Service at 807-684-1200 or Crime Stoppers anonymously.