On Tuesday July 30th, Yellowknife RCMP received two reports of suspicious packages at two different locations in the city.
At approximately 9:30 am, Yellowknife RCMP received a report of a suspicious box in the industrial area of McMillan Street, off Old Airport Road. The RCMP attended and secured a facility in the area.
The box was left behind at the facility, by an individual who is believed to have made a comment that the box may have contained an explosive device. Once Yellowknife RCMP received this information, they evacuated the facility and requested the assistance of the Alberta RCMP Explosive Disposal Unit. The investigation concluded the box was non-suspicious.
The investigation has shown that the comment does not appear to have been made with intent, however comments of this nature have to be taken seriously.
Under the Criminal Code of Canada, anyone who conveys information they know to be false with intent to injure or alarm any person is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years.
A report of an abandoned suitcase near a building at 52 Street and 50th Avenue was received shortly after. RCMP attended and contained the area. The investigation concluded that the suitcase was non-suspicious, the suitcase was removed and regular activity was able to resume in the area.
"The areas were contained immediately by RCMP officers and City of Yellowknife Municipal Enforcement Division. We take these reports very seriously and we ensured a full and thorough investigation. We appreciate the patience and understanding of the public while facing disruptions in these areas" states Inspector Alexandre Laporte, Yellowknife RCMP Detachment Commander.
At this time, the investigations do not support a link between the two incidents.
Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call Yellowknife RCMP at 669-1111, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 nwtnutips.com, (click on "submit a web tip") or text: "nwtnutips" plus your message to 274637.