Thunder Bay OPP – Charges laid after traffic stop & Foot Pursuit

Officers from the Thunder Bay Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) arrested and charged two individuals after a brief foot pursuit following a traffic stop.

On Wednesday, October 28, 2026, shortly before 1:00 p.m., officers with Thunder Bay OPP attempted to conduct a traffic stop after observing the front passenger actively consuming drugs and the rear passenger for not wearing a seat belt on Highway 61. The vehicle was pulled over on Arthur Street, where the driver became combative during an arrest for impaired operation. After a brief foot pursuit, the driver was subsequently arrested.

As a result, Luke SIMMANS, 29 years old from Marathon, was arrested and charged with the following Criminal Code, Highway Traffic Act and Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act offences:

• Operation while impaired – alcohol and drugs
• Resist Peace Officer
• Possession of weapon for dangerous purpose
• Personation with intent to avoid arrest, prosecution or obstruct justice
• Failure to comply with release order (3 counts)
• Driving while under suspension
• Fail to surrender permit for motor vehicle
• Fail to surrender insurance card

The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Thunder Bay on Thursday, October 29, 2026.

Aaron BOUCHER, 42 years old from Fort William First Nation, was arrested and charged with the following Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and Highway Traffic Act offences:

• Possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – cocaine
• Passenger – fail to properly wear seat belt

The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Thunder Bay on Wednesday, January 20, 2027.

The OPP is committed to public safety across Ontario. Members of the public are encouraged to report suspicious activity by calling 911 in emergency situations or through the non-emergency line at 1-888-310-1122.

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OPP

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) provide policing services throughout Ontario. Our officers are responsible for policing over one million square kilometres of land and waterways. They provide frontline policing services to more than 320 Ontario municipalities and patrol over 126,000 kilometres of provincial roadways.

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