A 54-year-old man is in custody and being interviewed by police after alleged bomb threats triggered an evacuation order affecting thousands of people in downtown Halifax.
In an update Monday afternoon, Halifax Regional Police said they first became aware of a bomb threat to the U.S. Consulate in Purdy’s Wharf Sunday at 6:15 p.m.
They identified the man who allegedly made the threats and started to look for him. They say they found the man’s vehicle in the Purdy’s Wharf parkade around 8:10 a.m. Monday.
“A propane tank and several containers believed to contain flammable liquid could be seen inside the vehicle,” reads a news release.
“The Halifax Regional Police Explosive Disposal Unit responded and police began evacuating several streets in the downtown core until the vehicle and its contents could be safely approached and inspected.”
Police also found a “suspicious bag” nearby.
Meanwhile, officers found and arrested the man suspected of making the alleged threats on Thomas Raddall Drive near the Canada Games Centre in Clayton Park. around 8:35 a.m. Monday.
“Given the concern that he may be in possession of explosives, road closures were in place for much of the day on Thomas Raddall Drive and surrounding areas while his belongings were searched with the support of the RCMP Explosive Disposal Unit,” said Halifax police.
Investigators have determined there is no threat to public safety.
There is no word on potential charges at this time.
Evacuations downtown
The incident prompted police to evacuate the Purdy’s Wharf parkade on Upper Water Street around 8:45 a.m. Monday.
At 10:15 a.m., the evacuation area was expanded to include several downtown streets.
“I need to go to the U.S. Consulate for the VISA interview... it took months to get an available time slot,” says one person impacted by the evacuation. “It’s not easy, I live in Vancouver.”
The evacuation zone included numerous hotels, restaurants, Scotia Square and government offices.
“We were staying at the Delta Halifax hotel for the comedy fest. We were here since Thursday night and we were ready to check out,” says another person impacted.
“We were just trying to decide if we should go to the pool or go to breakfast. So yeah, all of a sudden our decision was made for us.”
An emergency alert was issued around 10:30 a.m. warning of a bomb threat. It said police had the area, including the suspicious vehicle, contained.
Vehicles and pedestrians were asked to avoid the area. Some Halifax Transit buses were also operating on detoured routes.
Police said just before 1:30 p.m. there was “no ongoing threat” in that area.
About 30 minutes later, police said there was no threat downtown either. All roads have reopened.
A small police presence will remain in both Clayton Park and in the Purdy’s Wharf parkade as the investigation continues.
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