SWAT team called in after suspicious package found in Villeray

Police were called in Friday evening to diffuse a suspicious package found in an alley in Montreal’s Villeray-Park Extension-Saint-Michel borough.

A resident called police at around 6 p.m. after he discovered the package near Villeray Street and des Érables Avenue.

Surrounding homes in the area were evacuated as the SWAT team and a police robot safely diffused the package.

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“Police don’t take any chances,” Montreal police spokesperson Daniel Lacoursière said.

In the end, Lacoursière said it was a false alarm, and the package only contained a “pyrotechnic piece.”