UPDATE:
The explosive device incident in Armstrong is now over.
The bomb squad picked up the potentially explosive device and the police tape around the scene has been removed.
According to Vernon RCMP, the device was an improvised grenade which has been disposed of.
Police say they were alerted by a concerned citizen on Tuesday, just before 5 p.m., of a suspicious device along the 3100 block of Smith Drive.
Vernon RCMP said officers attended the area and found a small device, which had the appearance of a hand grenade sitting on top of a cement barrier.
“As a precaution, the area was immediately evacuated and the streets closed for the safety of the public, until we could determine what it was we were dealing with,” said RCMP Cst. Kelly Brett. “Out of an abundance of caution, the scene was secured overnight until the device could be examined by specifically trained officers from the RCMP explosive disposal unit.”
On Wednesday, just after 10 a.m., the explosive disposal unit arrived. Police say the device was confirmed to be a modified grenade, but that there was no risk to the public.
“Although the device was rendered safe, (the explosive disposal unit) collected the object and disposed of it in a safe and controlled manner so it does not end up in the wrong hands again,” said Brett.
Police added the investigation is ongoing and that it is not clear when the device was left or who left it there.
Anyone with any information in regards to his incident is asked to contact the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP at 250-546-3028 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477
ORIGINAL STORY:
A police bomb squad from the Lower Mainland is now in the North Okanagan to deal with an explosive device that was found Tuesday in downtown Armstrong.
The discovery of the explosive device, which one resident called it a makeshift hand grenade, resulted in part of Smith Drive being closed.
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