Skip to content

OPP find possible explosive devices Update

OPP News Release ******************** Little Current - As of 11:45 pm on Saturday 08 November 2008 Manitoulin O.P.P. advise that a garage has been rendered safe and is no longer a concern for the safety of residents in the area.


OPP News Release

********************

Little Current - As of 11:45 pm on Saturday 08 November 2008 Manitoulin O.P.P. advise that a garage has been rendered safe and is no longer a concern for the safety of residents in the area.

As a standard precaution, the OPP evacuated residences surrounding the home where the hazard had been located while explosive experts of the OPP Provincial Emergency Response Team (PERT) analyzed dismantled and disposed of the hazardous materials found in a small garage at the residence.

All materials have now been removed from the scene and the evacuation has been lifted. All residents were able to return safely to their homes.

Police still believe that home made explosive devices are still out in the community. The O.P.P. are warning our local youth and parents that these devices have the potential to cause serious bodily harm.

OPP is working with community and school officials to retrieve any explosive devises out in the community. The police are asking parents to speak to their teens about the dangers associated with these devices. If anyone is in possession of one of these devices they are asked not to touch it, to leave it in its exact location and to call the OPP or 911 immediately. OPP experts will attend and have the device safely removed.

This is a public safety issue. The OPP will not take any enforcement action in exchange for any information that leads to the safe removal of these devices from our community.

This investigation is continuing by members of the Manitoulin Detachment with the assistance of the Northeast Regional Crime Unit, the OPP Explosive Disposal Unit (EDU) and the Provincial Emergency Response Team.

******

Manitoulin - On Friday October 31, 2008 at 8:11 pm Officers from the Manitoulin Ontario Provincial Police detachment (OPP) were on patrol of the town of Little Current when a loud explosion was heard in the area of Worthington and Campbell Streets. Investigation by the officers revealed that the loud noise and ensuing smoke had been caused by the igniting of a home made improvised explosive device by a young person.

It has been revealed that the device was made from a small cylindrical cardboard tube closed at each end with plasticine and contained what is believed to be a highly explosive substance.

As a result of this investigation, the OPP have arrested and charged 2 local youths, one 15 years-old and one 16 years old, with having an explosive device – making or possessing for an unlawful purpose. Both youths have been released on a Promise to Appear and undertaking with conditions and will be appearing in Youth Court in Gore Bay on 11 December 2008 at 10: 00 am.

The 16 year old youth in this case sustained major non-life threatening injuries as a result of the explosion.

Continuing investigation by the OPP Manitoulin Detachment Crime Unit
has resulted in the a 3rd youth being arrested and charged in relation to this case. This local youth is 16 years-old. He has been charged with having an explosive device – making or possessing for an unlawful purpose. He was taken to youth Bail Court in Gore Bay and has been released on a recognizance with conditions and will be appearing in Youth Court on 05 December 2008 at 10:00 am.

The names of the youths charged in this case cannot be released under the Youth Justice Act.

The police investigation is continuing. At this time OPP have information that leads to concerns that similar explosive devices may be in the community and in possession of several local area youth who attend the local high school.

The OPP is advising our local youth and parents that these devices have the potential to cause serious bodily harm.

The Police are asking parents to speak to their teens about the dangers associated with these devices. If anyone is in possession of one of these devices they are asked not to touch it, to leave it in its exact location and to call the OPP or 911 immediately. OPP experts will attend and have the device safely removed.

This is a public safety issue. The OPP will not take any enforcement action in exchange for any information that leads to the safe removal of these devices from our community.

The OPP have all the necessary resources available to ensure public safety. We are seeking the community’s assistance to warn the public of the safe steps to be taken should someone come across a device such as this due to the concerns for the potential of serious personal injury.

The OPP is releasing a photo of the type of explosive device it is seeking the community’s assistance to locate.

The investigation is being conducted by members of the Manitoulin Detachment with the assistance of the Northeast Regional Crime Unit, the OPP Explosive Disposal Unit (EDU) and the OPP Provincial Emergency Response Team (PERT).

www.crimealerts.net

********************