A 38-year-old Thunder Bay man faces numerous charges after police say he fled a traffic stop and was later found with a loaded handgun and other weapons last week. Thunder Bay Police Service said an officer observed a vehicle being driven erratically along Water Street shortly after 9:20 a.m. on Oct. 23. “The vehicle refused to stop for police. The officer did not engage in a pursuit,” police said in a news release. “Police received multiple 911 calls from members of the public reporting a vehicle matching the suspect description being driven in an unsafe manner.” Police said a vehicle matching the description was located a short time later after colliding with a tree in the area of Ravenwood Crescent. “Police received descriptions of the male driver, who was seen exiting the vehicle and fleeing the scene,” the release said. Suspect located According to officers, a man matching the suspect description was located by the service’s canine unit and taken into custody just before 9:45 a.m. Police said the man was found to be in possession of a loaded handgun that had its serial number removed, along with other prohibited weapons and quantities of suspected illicit substances. The man was transported to hospital for assessment but was later transported to the Thunder Bay Police Service station. Numerous charges laid As a result of the investigation, the driver has been charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, operation of a vehicle while prohibited, impaired driving, flight from police and failing to stop after an accident. He is also charged with carrying a concealed weapon, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, unauthorized possession of a firearm, unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm, possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm, possession of a loaded prohibited or restricted firearm and possession of a prohibited device or ammunition for a dangerous purpose along with six other weapon and firearm-related offences, including possession of a firearm contrary to a prohibition order and possession of a firearm knowing the serial number has been tampered with. The man is also charged with two drug trafficking offences for cocaine and fentanyl possession, possession of property obtained by crime, failing to comply with a probation order, failing to comply with a release order and multiple other provincial offences. The accused was remanded into custody following an initial court appearance.
