Police neutralize 2 suspicious packages near elementary school in East York
Posted May 22, 2019 1:53 pm.
Last Updated May 22, 2019 6:25 pm.
An investigation is underway after police neutralized two suspicious packages near an East York elementary school Wednesday afternoon.
Emergency crews were called to the scene at Bennington Heights elementary on Bayview Avenue around 10:30 a.m.
Police say they received a concerned phone call from school officials about a black suitcase found on school property just outside the back doors.
The school was evacuated as a precaution and the young children were relocated to a neighbouring school. Bennington Heights Day Care was also evacuated.
Officials say surveillance footage obtained from a nearby home shows a person carrying a suitcase. On the suitcase was a note stating there was a bomb inside and other bombs around the school.
A second box was also found labelled fireworks. That box was also detonated and found to be empty.
Both packages were neutralized with water cannons. The suitcase was found to only contain a rock while the box was empty.
Toronto Police say a suitcase found outside Bennington Heights PS today had a note that said there was a bomb in the case, and other bombs around the school. The suitcase had a rock inside. No bombs found anywhere. 200 students evacuated safely. @680NEWS @CityNews pic.twitter.com/Wp00sh6BPO
— Mark Douglas (@DouglasCityNews) May 22, 2019
Police are stressing how serious it is to play games like this and that the investigation used up a significant amount of resources.
The suspect could face a mischief charge.