Men charged in plot to detonate explosives on May long weekend

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This article was published 03/05/2024 (545 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A 24-year-old man is in custody and another man is facing charges after police seized a “concerning and diverse” amount of explosives from a Headingley home on Thursday.

“The Winnipeg Police Service believes this individual may have been planning to detonate an explosive device on the outskirts of Winnipeg on the May long weekend,” organized crime unit Insp. Elton Hall told reporters at a hastily called news conference Friday afternoon.

Officers from the Winnipeg Police Service, RCMP, Canada Border Services Agency and the National Weapons Enforcement Support Team executed search warrants at two Headingley residences Thursday, seizing several firearms, ammunition, and large amounts of explosives.

Hall wouldn’t say if police suspect domestic terrorism.

“Can’t comment on that but I’ve listed agencies here and there are other agencies involved in this investigation as well that I haven’t named.”

Police have charged Evan Luke Reimer, 24, with unlawful possession of explosives, theft under $5,000 and three counts of possessing firearms. A 23-year-old man is facing firearm-related offences and was released on an undertaking.

“A concerning and diverse quantity of explosive substances was seized at (Reimer’s) residence,” Hall said.

Hall would not specify what kind of explosives were seized. Hall said Canada Border Service agents are investigating whether the explosives were transported over the border.

Police are asking anyone with information about Reimer’s recent activities or people associated with him to contact investigators.

“There will be other individuals involved, which is why we are asking for the assistance of the public,” Hall said.

“Any retail outlets engaging in the sale of firearms or explosive substances or accelerants involving Evan Reimer or individuals associated with Evan Reimer should contact police,” he said.

Hall said police are investigating Reimer in connection to a reported explosion in an “open area” in Headingley earlier this year.

“It is our understanding that emergency services were called to a location in the past couple of months where a device was detonated,” he said. “I think at that time they didn’t realize what had occurred.”

Hall could not say if the explosion was targeted.

“The initial explosion was big enough that people in that area made a call to complain… and they could feel it in their houses,” he said.

Reimer has a court record and was on bail at the time of his arrest.

Hall said there is no specified threat to the public and the investigation is continuing.

Anyone with information about the investigation is asked to call Winnipeg police at 204-986-7003 or Crime Stoppers at 204-786-TIPS, or online at winnipegcrimestoppers.org.

dean.pritchard@freepress.mb.ca