After nearly eight hours, a series of loud bangs signalled the end of a tense situation in the Fernwood area on Thursday.
At around 8:30 p.m. on April 30th, the Lower Mainland RCMP EOD (explosive ordinance disposal) team, along with the Greater Victoria Emergency Response team (GVERT) deployed several controlled detonations in dealing with a suspicious package left in a basketball court earlier that day.
In total, four controlled detonations were required to secure the scene safely.
Gladstone Update | 2nd controlled detonation. #yyj pic.twitter.com/29q20xd73j
— Victoria Police (@vicpdcanada) May 1, 2020
At 12:30 p.m. that day, VicPD was called to the 1200-block of Gladstone Avenue after a witness observed an unknown man leave the suspicious item behind at the court.
Callers told police the man left the toolbox, which had been welded shut, at the basketball court and then left.
Victoria Police proceeded with an abundance of caution, calling on GVERT and the RCMP Lower Mainland Explosive Ordinance Disposal team, who arrived shortly before 8 p.m.
We're investigating a suspicious package after a welded-shut toolbox was left a Fernwood basketball court. We're hoping to speak w the man who dropped it off & left. #F2017846 #yyj (1/4) pic.twitter.com/gUgNI1mIXd
— Victoria Police (@vicpdcanada) April 30, 2020
While the package was not an explosive device, according to VicPD the contents were suspicious and the investigation into the incident is ongoing.
“The toolbox contained metal, concrete and wiring. It and how it was placed are still considered suspicious,” Victoria Police said in a tweet.
The suspect who left the package behind is described as a Caucasian man with a brown beard and wearing a long-sleeved shirt. He was also said to be driving a white vehicle with a trunk, possibly a Mazda.
VicPD asks anyone who has information on the incident to contact them at 250-995-7654.
Gladstone Update | Another controlled detonation. This was quite loud and heard by many. Everyone remains safe. #yyj pic.twitter.com/iMMeiqJMWz
— Victoria Police (@vicpdcanada) May 1, 2020
With files from Brishti Basu.
