Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Police explode suspicious suitcase

TRAFFIC was tied up for five hours Sunday evening, snaring Sunday night cruise enthusiasts, as police closed off four blocks of downtown Portage Avenue to investigate and blow up a suspected bomb near Portage and Main.

The suspicious suitcase, which turned out to be a dud, was reported to police by a passerby in front of Peace Hills Trust building at 244 Portage Avenue around 4 p.m., Const. Jason Michalyshen said at the scene.

The suitcase was chained to a bike rack in front of the building along with a bicycle.

The police bomb unit was called in, and Portage from Main Street to Donald Street was closed to traffic. Ellice Avenue at Smith Street was also closed.

A robot armed with water bombs was sent in to detonate the suitcase, after police canvassed the area but couldn't find the owner of the bicycle and/or suitcase.

Police blew up the suitcase around 8 p.m. to a loud bang and a blast of white smoke, but the suitcase turned out to be a dud.

"There is no indication there was anything explosive (in the suitcase)," Michalyshen said.

Traffic reopened around 9 p.m.

-- Matt Preprost

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition June 7, 2010 A4

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