Thunder Bay Police Service say suspect allegedly threatened officers after barricading inside Arundel Street home

Thunder Bay — Local News — A Thunder Bay resident is facing several Criminal Code charges after an 11-hour police standoff on the city’s north end early Sunday.

Police say officers from the Primary Response Unit were dispatched to a home on Arundel Street at about 2:45 a.m. on February 1, 2026, after receiving reports that a person known to the family had locked themselves inside the residence and was preventing residents from entering.

Investigators allege the suspect threatened police when officers attempted to enter. The Emergency Task Unit was called in, and negotiators attempted to make contact, but police say the suspect refused to communicate.

The court was told that the suspect allegedly threatened to kill a Thunder Bay Police Service officer.

After determining no one else was inside, officers entered the home and arrested the suspect without incident.

Charges Laid

Police say Christopher Poulin, 31, is charged with:

• Unlawfully in a dwelling-house

• Uttering threats (cause death or bodily harm)

• Failure to comply with a release order

• Fail to comply with a probation order (two counts)

The accused remains in custody with a future court date.

All charges have not been proven in court, and the accused is presumed innocent.

What the Charges Mean — and Potential Penalties if Convicted

Unlawfully in a dwelling-house

This offence generally applies when a person is in a home without lawful excuse and with intent to commit an indictable offence inside. If prosecuted by indictment, it carries a maximum of 10 years in prison.

If the Crown proceeds summarily, the general summary maximum can apply: up to a $5,000 fine and/or up to two years less a day in jail, unless another penalty is specified.

Uttering threats — cause death or bodily harm

“Uttering threats” covers knowingly communicating a threat—by words, writing, or other means. For threats to cause death or bodily harm, the offence is hybrid: the Crown can proceed by indictment or summary conviction.

If prosecuted by indictment, the maximum penalty is five years imprisonment.
If prosecuted summarily, the general summary maximum can apply (up to $5,000 and/or two years less a day).

Failure to comply with a release order

This charge is commonly laid when a person allegedly breaches bail/release conditions (other than the requirement to attend court, which is addressed separately in the Code). It is hybrid, and if prosecuted by indictment, the maximum penalty is two years in prison.

If prosecuted summarily, the general summary maximum can apply.

Fail to comply with a probation order (two counts)

This offence applies when a person bound by a probation order allegedly fails or refuses to comply without reasonable excuse. It is hybrid, and if prosecuted by indictment, the maximum penalty is four years imprisonment.

If prosecuted summarily, the general summary maximum can apply.

Sentencing depends on the facts proven in court, any prior record, whether the Crown proceeds by indictment or summary conviction, and aggravating/mitigating factors considered by the judge.

Reference

Incident: TB26004164

Summary

Thunder Bay standoff ends in arrest; suspect charged with threats and alleged bail/probation breaches.