Updated: Man faces charges. From HRP:
A man has been charged following a bomb threat that closed several streets in Halifax yesterday.
Ali Assakereh, 54, will appear in Halifax Provincial Court today to face charges of:
- Uttering Threats
- Public Mischief
The investigation is ongoing.
Halifax Regional Police say there is no threat to public safety following an investigation into a bomb threat that closed several streets in the downtown core.
According to a police news release, the U.S. Consulate located in Purdy’s Wharf on Upper Water Street received a bomb threat at 6:15 p.m. on August 9. Police identified the man who made the threat and began efforts to locate him.
Around 8:10 a.m. the following morning, officers located the man’s vehicle in the Purdy’s Wharf parkade. A propane tank and several containers believed to contain flammable liquid could be seen inside the vehicle. The Halifax Regional Police Explosive Disposal Unit responded, and police began evacuating several streets in the downtown core until the vehicle and its contents could be safely approached and inspected. A suspicious bag was also located nearby.
At approximately 8:35 a.m., the man was located on Thomas Raddall Drive and taken into custody. Given the concern that he may have been in possession of explosives, road closures were in place for much of the day on Thomas Raddall Drive and the surrounding area while his belongings were searched, with support from the RCMP Explosive Disposal Unit.
At 2 p.m., police confirmed the vehicle and its contents did not pose an ongoing risk to public safety, and all streets were reopened.
A 54-year-old man was in custody and being interviewed as of Monday afternoon. The investigation is ongoing.
