Latest news with #ThunderBayPolice
CTV News
a day ago
- CTV News
Ont. men plead guilty for roles in art fraud ring involving works of Norval Morrisseau
Two men accused of being involved in a fraud ring that authenticated and sold purported works of late renowned Indigenous artist Norval Morrisseau have pleaded guilty. David Paul Bremner, 78, admitted to being part of an art forgery network by producing certificates of authenticity for artworks falsely marketed and sold as genuine pieces by the late artist. Morrisseau, often called the 'Picasso of the North,' is widely recognized as the grandfather of contemporary Indigenous art in Canada. Morrisseau passed away in 2007. For years his estate has fought forgeries that flooded the art world market. Art Fraud ring that authenticated and sold purported works of the late renowned Indigenous artist Norval Morrisseau.(Supplied) As part of his guilty plea, Bremner admitted to producing and using forged documents related to fake Morrisseau artworks, as well as possessing property obtained through crime with the intent of trafficking. Bremner admitted he authenticated, appraised and / or otherwise handled art works provided by one of his co-accused, Jeff Cowan. The allegations against Cowan have not been tested in court. Jim White, 84, pleaded guilty in June. White, who is from Essa Township, was at the centre of it all, involved in marketing and selling hundreds of fake Morrisseau art around the world, some pieces sold for tens of thousands of dollars. Jim White Jim White, 84, leaving the Barrie Courthouse in Fall 2024. (CTV News/ Mike Arsalides) White pleaded guilty to producing forged documents and to possession and trafficking of more than 500 pieces of fake art. Two others co-accused pleaded guilty last year and were sentenced to five years in prison. As part of his plea, Bremner admitted to 'turning a blind eye' to suspicions the works were forgeries and that he took inadequate further steps to verify their authenticity and proceeded to authenticate the art anyway. Some pieces he authenticated sold for more than $30,000, with another fetching close to $100,000. David Paul Bremner David Paul Bremner, 78, leaving the Barrie Courthouse in the fall of 2024. (CTV News/Mike Arsalides) Bremner admitted he knew his certificates were being used to authenticate and legitimize the artworks and that his certificates were relied upon by White and others to sell the pieces, despite never having received formal training to authenticate Morrisseau works. Bremner, the court heard, collected about $150 from the sale of each piece. About 900 pieces were seized as part of the joint investigation by Thunder Bay Police and the OPP. Bremner and White are scheduled to be sentenced next month.
CTV News
22-07-2025
- CTV News
Thunder Bay, Ont., police seize $270K in drugs, arrest three suspects
Thunder Bay police say they have arrested three people in a major drug bust involving cocaine, fentanyl and other substances worth more than $270,000. Thunder Bay police say they have arrested three people in a major drug bust involving cocaine, fentanyl and other substances worth more than $270,000. The arrests took place between June 24 and July 3, Ontario Provincial Police said in a news release. 'The arrests were the result of a four-week investigation into the trafficking of illegal drugs and substances in northwestern Ontario,' the release said. Thunder Bay Police were also involved in the operation, along with the OPP's crime enforcement bureau and the North West canine unit. Police seized drugs believed to be two kilograms of cocaine, 250 grams of fentanyl, hundreds of hydromorphone tablets, LSD powder and 12 pounds of illicit cannabis. 'Other items associated (with) drug trafficking' were also seized, police said. A 29-year-old man from Mississauga and a 25-year-old woman from Thunder Bay have been charged with drug trafficking offences. A 40-year-old woman from Thunder Bay was charged with possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime exceeding $5,000. The accused were released from custody and are scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Thunder Bay at a later date. Anyone with any information about the possession, manufacturing or trafficking of illicit drugs should contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or online.
CTV News
21-07-2025
- CTV News
Northern Ont. woman charged in two armed robberies at a convenience store
A 39-year-old local woman has been arrested and charged in connection with two armed robberies at a convenience store in the 300 block of Oliver Road in Thunder Bay, Ont., last month. The Thunder Bay Police Service's Break and Enter, Auto Theft and Robbery (BEAR) Unit led the investigation after the suspect allegedly stole merchandise from the business on June 24. 'When confronted by a staff member, the suspect brandished a weapon and made threats,' police said in a news release. Linked to second incident Further investigation revealed the same suspect was involved in a similar robbery at the same location only the day before. On July 17, members of the BEAR Unit, with assistance from other officers, located and arrested the woman at a residence on Windsor Street. The accused is charged with two counts of robbery with a weapon. She appeared in court on Friday and was remanded into custody, with a future court date scheduled.
CTV News
20-07-2025
- CTV News
3 charged with second degree murder following northwestern Ont. weekend homicide
A Thunder Bay Police Service vehicle is shown at a residence on Pearl Street in Thunder Bay, Ont., on July 19, 2025. (Supplied) Three individuals have been arrested and charged with second-degree murder following a fatal incident in Thunder Bay, Ont., over the weekend. Police respond to weapons call The Thunder Bay Police Service responded to a weapons call in the 200 block of Pearl Street in the early morning hours of July 19. Officers located an adult male victim at the scene. The victim, identified as 32-year-old Allan Faykes, was transported to hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Earlier warning to public Before midday on Saturday, investigators had issued a public warning that a homicide suspect was at large and possibly armed. However, they assured the public that the victim and suspect were believed to be known to each other, adding there was 'minimal threat to public safety.' Suspects arrested, charges laid Thunder Bay Police Service crest A Thunder Bay Police Service crest is shown an a building's exterior wall in this image. (File photo/Thunder Bay Police Service/Facebook) Following an investigation, police arrested three suspects: a 20-year-old man, a 22-year-old man, and a 45-year-old woman, all from Thunder Bay. Each faces a charge of second-degree murder. The 22-year-old suspect also faces additional charges for breaching probation – including a firearm-related offence. The three accused appeared in court on Sunday and were remanded into custody, with future court dates scheduled. Authorities urged anyone with information related to the incident to contact the Thunder Bay Police Service at 807-684-1200.
CTV News
17-07-2025
- CTV News
Traffic stop leads to impaired, drug charges in Thunder Bay
After receiving 911 calls about a potential impaired driver on Edward Street in Thunder Bay, Ont., on July 14, 2025, local police stopped an SUV to find the driver allegedly impaired by drugs with suspected drugs, opened alcohol and other drug paraphernalia in the vehicle. (Thunder Bay Police Service/Facebook) A Thunder Bay Police Service traffic unit officer pulled over an SUV on Edward Street at about 11 a.m. on Monday after responding to multiple 911 calls reporting a possible impaired driver. The driver, a 48-year-old woman, was arrested on suspicion of impaired operation. Subsequently, a drug recognition evaluation was conducted by a qualified officer. Further investigation revealed that the motorist was in possession of suspected crack cocaine and heroin, along with open containers of alcohol and other drug paraphernalia inside the vehicle, police said in a social media post about the incident. As a result, the driver now faces several charges, including two counts of drug possession, failing to comply with a probation order and impaired driving. In addition to the charges, the vehicle was towed and impounded by police for seven days and her driver's licence was suspended for 90 days under provincial legislation. The accused is scheduled to appear in court in August. The case serves as a reminder of the serious consequences of impaired driving and drug-related offenses with authorities stressing the importance of responsible driving to ensure community safety.
