Thunder Bay Police say a multi-unit investigation into reported robberies at local businesses has led to 30 charges against a 37-year-old man
Police say video evidence helped investigators connect one suspect to incidents reported at businesses on May Street North, Fort William Road and Arthur Street West.
THUNDER BAY = LOCAL CRIME NEWS – September 17, 2026 – A Thunder Bay Police Service investigation into a series of reported robberies and related incidents has resulted in 30 criminal charges against a 37-year-old man.
Thunder Bay Police Service says officers from its Primary Response Unit, Primary Response Support Unit and Break, Enter and Robbery Unit worked on the investigation.
Police allege the incidents occurred at several Thunder Bay businesses between July 26 and August 2, 2026. Investigators reviewed video footage, identified a suspect and later connected that person to additional files.
Jacob Samson, 37, of Webequie First Nation, has been charged. Police say he was remanded into custody following his first court appearance.
None of the allegations has been proven in court. The accused is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Investigation Began After July 26 Robbery Report
Police say Primary Response Unit officers were sent to a business on May Street North on July 26 after receiving a robbery report. The suspect had left before officers arrived, but police obtained video footage and continued investigating.
Further robbery reports followed:
- July 28: A business in the Fort William Road area;
- July 30: A business in the Arthur Street West area;
- July 31: A business on Arthur Street West; and
- August 1: Police followed up on another robbery file involving a Fort William Road business.
Police say video evidence led officers to conclude that the same suspect was involved in several of the investigations.
On August 2, officers identified the suspect. Later that day, Primary Response Unit officers were sent to an Arthur Street West business following a weapons call. Police searched the area, located a suspect and made an arrest.
The BEAR Unit joined the investigation on August 4. Police say the unit followed up on an August 1 robbery at a May Street North business, connected the suspect to more investigations and made a further arrest. Additional charges were then laid.
Charges Laid by Thunder Bay Police
Samson faces the following 30 charges:
- Assault with a weapon – four counts;
- Theft under $5,000 – shoplifting – six counts;
- Uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm – one count;
- Failure to comply with a probation order – eight counts;
- Failure to comply with a release order – seven counts;
- Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose – three counts; and
- Robbery with a weapon – one count.
What the Charges Mean and the Maximum Penalties
The explanations below describe the offences generally. The Crown must prove every essential element of each charge beyond a reasonable doubt. The police release does not provide the wording of the court information, the alleged release and probation conditions, or the kind of weapon involved.
| Charge | What the Crown Must Prove | Maximum Penalty Upon Conviction |
|---|---|---|
| Assault with a weapon Four counts |
Under sections 265 and 267 of the Criminal Code, assault can include intentionally applying force without consent or attempting or threatening to apply force in defined circumstances. For this charge, the Crown must also prove that the accused carried, used or threatened to use a weapon or imitation while committing the assault. | This is a hybrid offence. If prosecuted by indictment, the maximum is 10 years in prison. If prosecuted summarily, the general maximum is two years less a day, a $5,000 fine, or both. |
| Theft under $5,000 Six counts |
The Crown must prove a fraudulent taking or conversion of property without a lawful claim to it, together with an intent to deprive the owner of the property or their interest in it. “Shoplifting†describes the allegation; the Criminal Code offence is theft. | This is a hybrid offence. If prosecuted by indictment, the maximum is two years in prison. The summary-conviction option carries the general summary maximum. |
| Uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm One count |
The Crown must prove that the accused knowingly uttered, conveyed or caused someone to receive a threat to cause death or bodily harm to a person. | This is a hybrid offence. If prosecuted by indictment, the maximum is five years in prison. The summary-conviction option carries the general summary maximum. |
| Failure to comply with a probation order Eight counts |
The Crown must prove that a valid probation order bound the accused and that the accused failed or refused to obey it without a reasonable excuse. Each count may relate to a separate alleged breach, condition or event. | This is a hybrid offence. If prosecuted by indictment, the maximum is four years in prison. The summary-conviction option carries the general summary maximum. |
| Failure to comply with a release order Seven counts |
The Crown must prove that the accused was bound by a valid release order and, without a lawful excuse, failed to obey one of its conditions. The police release does not identify the conditions allegedly breached. | This is a hybrid offence. If prosecuted by indictment, the maximum is two years in prison. The summary-conviction option carries the general summary maximum. |
| Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose Three counts |
Mere possession is not enough. The Crown must prove that the accused carried or possessed a weapon, imitation weapon, prohibited device or ammunition for a purpose dangerous to the public peace or for the purpose of committing an offence. | This is a hybrid offence. If prosecuted by indictment, the maximum is 10 years in prison. The summary-conviction option carries the general summary maximum. |
| Robbery with a weapon One count |
Robbery combines stealing with violence, threats of violence or assault, or involves stealing while armed with an offensive weapon or imitation. The Crown must prove the form of robbery alleged in the charging document. | Robbery is an indictable offence with a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. The police release does not say a firearm was involved, so firearm-specific minimum penalties should not be assumed. |
For the hybrid offences above, the Crown decides whether to proceed by indictment or by summary conviction. Unless another provision sets a different summary penalty, section 787 of the Criminal Code provides a general maximum of a $5,000 fine, imprisonment for two years less a day, or both.
Maximum Penalties Are Not Expected Sentences
A maximum penalty is the highest sentence Parliament permits for one offence. It does not indicate what sentence would be imposed in this case if there were a conviction.
Courts consider the facts proven at trial or admitted through a guilty plea, the harm caused, the offender’s degree of responsibility, aggravating and mitigating factors, prior convictions, rehabilitation prospects and sentences imposed in comparable cases.
Multiple maximum penalties are not simply added together. A judge decides whether sentences run at the same time or one after another and must apply the totality principle, which says a combined sentence should not be unduly long or harsh.
Section 718.2(e) of the Criminal Code also directs courts to consider reasonable sanctions other than imprisonment for all offenders, with particular attention to the circumstances of Indigenous offenders. This is commonly addressed through the Gladue sentencing principles. It does not reduce the Crown’s burden of proof and does not prevent imprisonment where a court finds it necessary.
Remanded in Custody
Police say the accused was remanded after his first court appearance. A remand order means the accused remains in custody while the case continues, unless a later court order changes that status. It is not a finding of guilt.
The case is associated with Thunder Bay Police Service file numbers TB26030425, TB26030409, TB26030194, TB26030104, TB26029945, TB26029701 and TB26029432.
This article provides general information about the Criminal Code. It is not legal advice. Charges can be amended, withdrawn or stayed as a case proceeds.
Sources
- Thunder Bay Police Service media release;
- Criminal Code, section 265 — assault;
- Criminal Code, section 267 — assault with a weapon or causing bodily harm;
- Criminal Code, section 322 — theft;
- Criminal Code, section 334 — punishment for theft;
- Criminal Code, section 264.1 — uttering threats;
- Criminal Code, section 733.1 — failure to comply with probation;
- Criminal Code, section 145 — failure to comply with a release order;
- Criminal Code, section 88 — possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose;
- Criminal Code, section 343 — robbery;
- Criminal Code, section 344 — punishment for robbery; and
- Criminal Code, section 718.2 — sentencing principles
Summary: Thunder Bay Police say a multi-unit investigation into reported robberies at local businesses has led to 30 charges against a 37-year-old man.
