A thrift store in Sidney, British Columbia was evacuated on Tuesday after a possible historical military explosive was dropped off.
According to the Sidney North Saanich RCMP, a person brought in a suspicious item to the Beacon Community Services Thrift Store on Beacon Avenue around 2:30 p.m. The store immediately contacted the police, who then called in the Explosive Disposal Unit (EDU) from the Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt.
The EDU arrived on the scene and determined that the item was a possible historical military explosive. As a precautionary measure, the thrift store and surrounding businesses were evacuated while the EDU safely removed the item from the premises.
The RCMP has not disclosed any further details about the item, but they have confirmed that it was safely disposed of by the EDU.
The thrift store was able to reopen later that day, and no injuries or damages were reported.
This incident serves as a reminder for the public to exercise caution when handling potentially dangerous items. The RCMP advises anyone who comes across a suspicious item to not touch it and to immediately contact the authorities.
The investigation into the origin of the item is ongoing, and anyone with information is urged to contact the Sidney North Saanich RCMP at 250-656-3931 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
The safety of the community is of utmost importance, and the RCMP is grateful for the cooperation and patience of the public during this incident.
