Mounties seize ‘explosive device’ from stolen truck on Vancouver Island

The RCMP Explosive Disposal Unit attended the scene via an RCMP helicopter to seize and dispose of the device, police said.

A 42-year-old man remains in police custody Wednesday after Mounties on Vancouver Island seized what they described as an “improvised explosive device” from a stolen pickup truck last week.

A statement from the Shawnigan Lake RCMP says officers were called to a report of a suspicious blue Ford truck at a business in the Malahat area on Jan. 17.

The truck, which police determined to be stolen, fled the scene when police arrived, prompting other RCMP detachments and police dog services to assist in the search for the vehicle, authorities said.

The stolen truck was later found at the Mill Bay Marina, where the suspect driver left the scene in another vehicle, the statement said.

The second vehicle was located by police and the suspect was apprehended along with two other occupants, both of whom were released without charge.

“Upon searching the stolen Ford truck, officers discovered an improvised explosive device,” B.C. RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Alex Bérubé said in the statement.

“The RCMP’s explosive disposal unit attended via an RCMP helicopter to safely seize and dispose of the device.”

The suspect, who police described as a Sooke resident, was remanded into custody while the investigation is ongoing, the statement said.

Anyone with information related to the incident is asked to contact the Shawnigan Lake RCMP at 250-743-5514.