The bomb squad has neutralized a suspicious package found in a vehicle near Markham Road and Finch Avenue and has reopened the area to traffic.
A 27-year-old man is in custody and will likely face charges, police say. The suspect is known to police and is the registered owner of the vehicle at the heart of the evacuation.
Police cordoned off a large area in Scarborough after the suspicious package was found in a car parked outside a tow truck company, located close to a propane cylinder. The package contained a two-foot length of PVC pipe that had several wires attached to it.
Police have not yet confirmed the device was an explosive.
Police were first called to William's Car Towing at about 1:30 p.m. Monday afternoon. They announced the threat had been neutralized at about 6:30 p.m.
The evacuation area stretched nearly two kilometres in all directions from the site of the discovery, at 2671 Markham Rd. It is bordered by Finch Avenue, Tapscott Road, Middlefield Road and Morningside Avenue.
During the afternoon, Const. Wendy Drummond said there was the "possibility of an explosion.". She warned anyone in the "danger zone" to leave as quickly as possible and said officers were going door-to-door to let residents know about the order.
"If you work or live in this immediate area... please leave the area," she told CP24. "Anyone who is planning on travelling into the area, please don't."
Cars filled area streets as people tried to get away from the site following the evacuation order.
Stay with CP24 for updates -- online at CP24.com, on TV on CP24 or on the radio at 1050 AM.
