Thunder Bay man charged amid investigation into harassment letters

Police have arrested a Thunder Bay man suspected of sending harassing letters that targeted staff members of various local businesses.

The Thunder Bay Police Service became aware in March of 2023 about an incident involving harassing letters sent to a local business. The letters were sexual in nature.

Members of the Thunder Bay Police Service’s Major Crimes and Forensic Identification Units became involved in the continued investigation. Those efforts led to two other similar incidents, which were believed to be possibly connected, being identified. One such incident was reported in September of 2022 and the other reported between June and July of 2022.

Evidence collected throughout the investigation led to an adult male suspect being identified.

He was located and taken into custody without incident on Sunday, June 25.

David Robert OSTROM, 54, of Thunder Bay, is charged with:
• Criminal Harassment x 3

He appeared in bail court on Monday, June 26 and was released with conditions and a future appearance date.

Police continue to investigate the possibility that other victims received harassing letters but have not come forward.

Letters typically target local businesses or specific members of its staff. They are often sexual in nature, and may use the first name of the intended victim.

If you received such a letter please contact the Thunder Bay Police Service’s non-emergency line, and cite incident number TB23008478, to make a police report.