Police neutralize 2 suspicious packages near elementary school in East York

The search is on for a suspect after police neutralized two suspicious packages, forcing the evacuation of 200 kids from Bennington Heights public school

By News Staff

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.

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.

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