Police have a 42-year-old Sooke man in custody after seizing and disposing of a "possible improvised explosive device" following a report of a suspicious vehicle atop the Malahat in Shawnigan Lake, Jan. 17.
In an announcement sent to media on Jan. 22, Shawnigan Lake RCMP spokesperson. Cpl. Alex Bérubé said the detachment sent officers to investigate a report of a suspicious blue Ford truck.
"Upon attending, the vehicle fled from police. Units from North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP and West Shore RCMP assisted, including the RCMP Police Dog Service (PDS) in attempts to locate the vehicle," Bérubé recounted. "The vehicle, which was determined to be stolen, was later located at the Mill Bay Marina with the suspect driver leaving in another vehicle.
Police intercepted that vehicle and the three occupants were taken into custody, including the original suspect from the blue Ford truck.
Upon searching the stolen Ford truck, officers discovered an improvised explosive device, Bérubé said. He added that the RCMP Explosive Disposal Unit got to the scene via helicopter "to safely seize and dispose of the device."
The suspect remains in custody. The two other individuals were released without charge. The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Shawnigan Lake RCMP at 250-743-5514.
