The Hamilton Police Service's Explosive Disposal Unit uses a remote controlled robot to exploded a suspicious package that was placed in a Canada Post mailbox on Main Street East at Cameron on July 28, 2017 Credit: Joey Coleman / The Public Record
Hamilton Police are investigating after two packages imitating possible explosive devices were placed in Canada Post mail pickup boxes on Main Street East at Cameron Avenue and Huxley Avenue.
The packages were discovered by a Canada Post around 1 p.m. Friday afternoon during regular pick-up of mail from the boxes.
Hamilton Police quickly closed off the two areas, shutting down Main Street East between Ottawa Street and the Queenston Traffic Circle. Police shut down and voluntarily evacuated some businesses along the route, other businesses closed due to lack of access to their facilities.
During the next seven hours, the Hamilton Police Explosives Disposal Unit meticulously inspected the mailboxes, removed the suspicious packages, safely detonated them, and collected forensic evidence.
Police did not fully reopen Main Street East until just prior to 11 p.m. Friday night.
Police Superintendent William Mason says police are now investigating and will be canvassing the local area for information. He is asking anyone with information, or security camera footage along Main Street West between Graham Avenue and Cope Street to contact the East End Division at 905-546-2963, or if they wish to remain anonymous, Crimestoppers at 905-522-8477.
Supt. Mason says Hamilton Police believe there were only two packages, and there is no ongoing threat to public safety.
Update, Saturday evening: Hamilton Police are telling CHCH News they’ve identified the individual responsible and released them without criminal charges, the investigation is ongoing.
Photos
Hamilton Police closed Main Street East from Ottawa Street to the Queenston Traffic Circle as they investigated two suspicious packages placed in Canada Post mailboxes on July 28, 2017
Hamilton Police secure a Canada Post mailbox on Main Street East at Huxley Avenue as they await the Explosive Disposal Unit to deal with a suspicious package placed in the box on July 28, 2017
A crowd gathers on Main Street just east of Kenilworth as Hamilton Police investigate a suspicious package placed in a Canada Post mailbox on Main Street East at Cameron on July 28, 2017
A member of the Hamilton Police Explosives Disposal Unit unlocks a Canada Post mailbox containing a suspicious device to enable the remote controlled robot to later open the box. July 28, 2017
The Hamilton Police Service Explosive Disposal Unit remote controlled robot opens a Canada Post mailbox containing an suspicious device on July 28, 2017
The Hamilton Police Service’s Explosive Disposal Unit uses a remote controlled robot to exploded a suspicious package that was placed in a Canada Post mailbox on Main Street East at Cameron on July 28, 2017
The debris following the controlled police explosion of a suspicious package that was placed in a Canada Post mailbox at Main Street East and Cameron Avenue in Hamilton on July 28, 2017
A member of the Hamilton Police Services’ Explosive Disposal Unit collectives evidence and debris after the controlled police explosion of a suspicious package from the Canada Post mailbox at Main Street East and Cameron Avenue in Hamilton on July 28, 2017
Hamilton Police collect and document evidence after the controlled police explosion of a suspicious package from the Canada Post mailbox at Main Street East and Cameron Avenue in Hamilton on July 28, 2017
The Hamilton Police Explosive Disposal Unit’s Robot returning after completing its investigative recording at a suspicious package scene on Main East on July 28, 2017
Hamilton Police’s Explosives Robot removes a suspicious package imitating a possible explosive device from a Canada Post mailbox on Main Street East at Cameron Avenue on July 28, 2017
A closer look at the a portion of the suspicious package imitating a possible explosive device removed from a Canada Post mailbox on Main Street East at Cameron Avenue on July 28, 2017
Hamilton Police’s Explosives Robot removes a portion of a suspicious package imitating a possible explosive device from a Canada Post mailbox on Main Street East at Cameron Avenue on July 28, 2017
