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File Update – Building Evacuation At 225 Royal Avenue

This media release is to update the media regarding the Police investigation on this matter.

On the evening of Tuesday March 24th, 2009, members of the New Westminster Police Service entered into an investigation involving an apartment located in the 200 block of Royal Avenue. This investigation centered around the existence of possible Incendiary material at this location.

For obvious reasons this investigation involved a very detailed and time consuming search of the residence, involving a number of agencies including the RCMP Explosive Disposal Unit. In the interest of Public Safety a decision was made to evacuate the building during this search. The RCMP EDU did locate a suspicious substance and a controlled detonation was conducted.

The search of the residence did continue, being conducted primarily by Hazmat experts due to the presence of various items inside the suite, which in and of themselves were not considered to present a danger. On Thursday March 26th, 2009, during this very methodical search, additional items were located. Out of an abundance of caution, a decision was made to again evacuate the building and call in the RCMP Explosive Disposal Unit, who removed several items from the residence and conducted additional controlled detonations.

The remainder of the search was completed early in the morning of Friday March 27th, 2009 and residents were allowed to return.

This investigation is ongoing and being conducted by the NWPS Major Crime Unit. There is one subject currently in custody and undergoing a Psychological evaluation however formal charges have not yet been laid. Investigators do not believe there are any additional suspects in this matter.

There is no indication that the residence or substances located inside were related to any kind of Drug Manufacturing lab. Also, there is no indication at this stage of the investigation that the items located in the residence are connected to Organized Crime or any organized Terrorist Group.