Police Say Suspect Brandished Two Screwdrivers Before Fleeing
THUNDER BAY — A 29-year-old Thunder Bay man is facing a robbery charge after an incident reported at Westfort Foods, 111 Frederica Street West, on Sunday, February 23, 2026.
Thunder Bay Police Service officers responded to a call for service after a suspect was reported to have threatened a store owner during an alleged theft.
What Police Allege Happened
Police allege an Indigenous male entered the business and began taking merchandise. When confronted by the store owner, officers say the suspect produced two screwdrivers and brandished them before fleeing the store.
Officers located and arrested the suspect a short time later, police said. The allegedly stolen merchandise and the screwdrivers were seized. Police add the incident was captured on video surveillance.
Charge Laid
John Rae, 29, has been charged with:
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Robbery
The charge has not been proven in court.
What “Robbery” Means Under the Criminal Code
In Canada, robbery is defined as a theft where violence, threats of violence, or force is used or threatened, including situations where an offender assaults someone, uses or threatens to use a weapon, or wounds/strikes a person while stealing or attempting to steal.
In this case, police allege the screwdrivers were used to threaten the owner during the incident.
Potential Penalties If Convicted
Robbery is prosecuted as an indictable offence. The Criminal Code sets the maximum penalty at life imprisonment.
Mandatory minimum penalties can apply in specific firearm-related robbery circumstances (for example, where a restricted or prohibited firearm is used), but those provisions are separate from non-firearm allegations.
If convicted, courts can also impose other orders depending on the facts of the case, which may include weapons prohibitions and restitution.
Under our legal system Rae is considered innocent until proven guilty.
Release Conditions and Court Date
Police say Rae was held overnight at Balmoral Police Station and was released on conditions Monday, including:
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Report an address to police within 24 hours
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No weapons
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Do not attend Westfort Foods
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No contact with the owner of Westfort Foods
His next court appearance is scheduled for April 7, 2026.
