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Arrest made in bomb threat at Steinbach court house: ‘This was a reckless and dangerous act’

RCMP have laid charges after a bomb threat forced the evacuation of the Steinbach courthouse last month. File / The Canadian Press

Police have a man in custody in connection with a bomb threat phoned into the courthouse in Steinbach last month.

Over the lunch hour on July 30, someone called 911 and said there was a bomb in a washroom in the building, forcing the evacuation of the court office on Reimer Avenue. Police say a number of officers were called in, along with the emergency crews from the Steinbach Fire Department.

A suspicious device found in the men’s washroom turned out to be what police have called a “hoax device.”

On Wednesday, police announced a 41-year-old from Richer, Man., has been arrested.

“This was a reckless and dangerous act that was intended to disrupt and obstruct our justice system,” said Manitoba RCMP spokesperson, Sgt. Paul Manaigre in a release.

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“This threat caused the court building to close and required a number of police resources and other first responders to be on scene for an extended period of time.

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“Our investigators will always do everything they can to ensure that anyone who attempts to intimidate our courts is held accountable.”

Christian Peter Jaques is charged with intimation of a justice system participant, obstruction of justice, public mischief, and mischief over $5,000.

Jaques is scheduled to make his first court appearance in Winnipeg Thursday.

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