A homemade explosive device found while Red Deer RCMP executed a search warrant was safely taken apart.
Red Deer RCMP searched a Riverside Meadows home when they located the suspicious item around 10 a.m. Tuesday.
Five people were taken into custody at two apartments in Red Deer, and two were taken into custody at a Sylvan Lake home as a result of the investigation.
The Explosive Device Unit was called to the area as a precautionary measure for public safety. It removed the suspicious object, which appeared to be a homemade explosive device.
Preliminary tests of the device showed it contained explosive material.
Meanwhile, Red Deer RCMP went door-to-door evacuating nearby residences and businesses as a precaution.
By 2:30 p.m., the area was cleared and the Explosive Device Unit left the neighbourhood.
David Campbell was coming home from work Tuesday afternoon when he happened upon the action.
Campbell said he told a police officer he lived there, to which the officer responded “you don’t live here for the next hour,” Campbell said with a chuckle.
“Every once in a while the police show up here,” he said. “But it’s a really good place, rent is affordable.
“This could happen anywhere in the city, really.”
Alfredo Caga was sleeping in his nearby home after working a night shift. He said he awoke around 11 a.m. to see police cars all around his house, but didn’t know what was going on. His home was just outside the perimeter police had set up as the explosive device team conducted its work.
By 3:30 p.m. Tuesday afternoon, the evacuation order was lifted and people were allowed to return to their residences.
Red Deer RCMP said an update detailing the results of the search warrants, and any resulting charges will be made available when more information comes.
mcrawford@reddeeradvocate.com
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