Suspicious package located near the rear tire (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

SUSPICIOUS PACKAGES

Aberdeen suspicious package investigations being treated independently for now

Jul 5, 2023 | 4:07 PM

KAMLOOPS — A second suspicious package has been reported in Aberdeen in as many days. The investigation comes a day after RCMP removed a pipe bomb a few blocks away in the 900-block of Greystone Crescent.

Mounties say a resident in the 2100-block of Sifton Avenue found a suspicious package at around 9:15 Tuesday night (July 4). The RCMP Explosive Device Unit (EDU) attended the area Tuesday to examine the item.

According to a nearby resident, the device was found on the side of the road after their car pulled in to park.

“My cousin got out to check it out and grabbed it, thought it was weird,” said Connor Bohnet. “She had heard about the pipe bomb earlier and thought it was quite suspicious.

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She moved it off to the side of the road and parked the vehicle, looked at it further and there was some gasoline pouring out of the bottom of it.”

Thankfully, Bohnet’s neighbor is a police officer and ensured the police arrived to block off the area Tuesday night.

Despite the description from Bohnet, police are still working to identify the device.

“We don’t know exactly what it is right now. We do have expertise that we have contacted to help us assess the situation and determine what is a safe perimeter and if people need to be evacuated,” said Kamloops RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Crystal Evelyn. “Based off that assessment, no evacuations are necessary but the roadway has been closed. We will continue to investigate and collect evidence as we did we yesterday’s investigation as well.”

Bohnet noted the device appeared to be a two-litre pop bottle filled with some sort of fuel.

“Smelled like gasoline in a two-litre bottle, all duct-taped with a bag around it and stuff, and a wick sticking out of the side of it. Definitely suspicious,” added Bohnet.

With two suspicious packages discovered in the city over the past two days, Kamloops RCMP understand that the public may be on edge.

“They are two independent investigations,” confirmed Evelyn. “I know there have been some questions as to whether or not they are related. That is part of the ongoing investigation, so that is something investigators are looking at. EDU is coming up to assist but that investigation is still occurring locally.”

RCMP are asking for anybody in the area with doorbell or dashcam video to review the files for anything they consider suspicious.