Thunder Bay Police Service officers were dispatched to the Walmart at 1101 Arthur Street West at about 12:50 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 27 following reports a shoplifter claimed to have a gun.
When police arrived they learned a male had been observed by a store loss prevention officer placing merchandise into a suitcase. The accused then left the store without paying for the merchandise.
Security approached the accused and requested he return the stolen items.
The accused refused, and told the loss prevention officer that he had a gun in his possession. The accused then fled the area.
Just after 1:20 p.m., police spotted a suspect matching the description of the accused male running through an alleyway between Sifton and Chilton Avenues. The male was then located, with assistance from the TBPS’s K9 Unit, in a nearby field.
The male was arrested after a brief struggle.
Merchandise stolen from Walmart totaled more than $750. Police also located merchandise stolen from a Canadian Tire store, which totaled more than $335.
Nathan Joseph OTKE, 35, of Thunder Bay, is charged with:
• Robbery With Violence
• Resist Peace Officer
• Breach of Probation x 4
He appeared in bail court on Friday, Aug. 28 and was remanded into custody with a future appearance date of Sept. 11, 2020.