Halifax police evacuated several blocks of the downtown core Monday morning after locating a vehicle containing a propane tank and containers believed to hold flammable liquid in the parkade of Purdy's Wharf, where the U.S. consulate is situated on Upper Water Street.
The sequence began Sunday at 6:15 p.m. when police received a bomb threat directed at the consulate. Investigators identified a suspect and launched a search. At approximately 8:10 a.m. Monday, officers found the man's vehicle in the Purdy's Wharf parkade, though the suspect was not inside. The explosive disposal unit was called in and a perimeter was established, forcing the closure of multiple streets in the central business district. A suspicious bag was also recovered nearby.
The suspect, a 54-year-old man, was arrested at 8:35 a.m. on Thomas Raddall Drive near the Canada Games Centre, roughly 10 kilometres west of the parkade. Police closed Thomas Raddall Drive and surrounding roads for much of the day while the RCMP explosive disposal unit assisted in searching his belongings.
All roads had reopened by 2 p.m., although a small police presence remained at the Purdy's Wharf parkade as the investigation continued. The man remains in custody and is being interviewed. Police said further information would be released when available.
Based on reporting by Global News.