The discovery of a package containing industrial-grade explosives and detonators last week prompted police to evacuate homes surrounding the trail area in Dentville where the materials were discovered.
Squamish RCMP were searching a trail area near the 380000 block of Britannia Avenue as part of an unrelated investigation last Wednesday, May 2, when they discovered a "suspicious package containing industrial-grade explosives and detonators," RCMP Sgt. Wayne Pride said in a statement.
The area was cordoned off and nearby homes were cleared "for safety," Pride said. After the materials were discovered, an RCMP bomb detection police service dog team conducted a secondary search to ensure that the area was safe. An explosive disposal team was then brought in and removed the materials without incident. Police were in the area for 4 hours, after which the area was deemed safe, Pride said.
Anyone with information about this or other suspicious activity is asked to contact Squamish RCMP at (604) 892-6100 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Vehicles damaged, items stolen
Police are investigating a rash of break-ins and thefts from motor vehicles that occurred in Brackendale and Garibaldi Estates on the weekend.
Overnight on Saturday-Sunday (May 5 and 6), incidents were reported in the 4000 block of Willow Crescent, the 1200 block of Zenith Road and the 4100 block of Cottonwood Road, Pride said. Also, five vehicles were targeted in the Bracken Park Way area.
"Numerous" vehicles had their windows smashed and items stolen in a series of events that Pride said were "apparently related."
The stolen items ranged from personal items to wallets to electronics to tools. One of the Bracken Park Way vehicles had tools and electronics valued at around $1,800 stolen.
A suspect was seen fleeing the scene of an incident on Willow Crescent. He is described as a Caucasian male, approximately 6 feet tall, wearing dark clothing. He was seen leaving the scene in a purple, older-model four-door sedan. In the 41000 block of Hope Road, a red, 1999, four-door Chrysler Cirrus was stolen and later recovered on Rayburn Road. Inside the vehicle, a number of items stolen earlier in the night were discovered, Pride said. The vehicle was seized and it, along with the found items, were sent for forensic examination, he said. The investigation is ongoing.
Police reminded residents not to leave valuables inside vehicles when left unattended.
Substation damaged
B.C. Hydro's Cheekye substation was broken into, and copper wire stolen, on Friday (May 4) in the continuation of a series of similar incidents in and around Squamish in recent weeks. Entry was gained by cutting a lock on the fenced compound, Pride said. Approximately 30 feet of grounding copper wire was stolen and damage to the property is estimated at $1,300.
Parkade broken into
Last Wednesday at around 7 a.m., police were informed of a break-and-enter overnight at an undeground parkade at a residential compound in the 38000 block of Cleveland Avenue. Cables that pull a garage door open were cut and a storage locker was broken into. A side door to the parkade may have been left unlocked, Pride said. Police are awaiting information on the items stolen from the storage locker.
