Sudbury police find open liquor, pipe bomb during downtown traffic stop

There were some tense moments in downtown Sudbury on Saturday night after patrol officers found a pipe bomb in the trunk of a vehicle during a traffic stop.

The vehicle was pulled over by police just after 8:30 p.m. Sept. 28 in the area of Elgin and Elm streets for having "a licence plate that was not authorized," Greater Sudbury Police Service said in a news release Monday afternoon.

Sudbury police cordon off part of Elgin Street downtown Saturday night after a pipe bomb was found in the trunk of a vehicle during a traffic stop. Sept. 28, 2024 (Dan Bertrand/CTV Northern Ontario)

 

When officers saw and open container of alcohol inside the vehicle, they searched the three people inside and found a pipe bomb in the trunk.

The road was closed and area was contained immediately to ensure public safety, and the emergency response and explosive disposal units were called to the scene.

The explosive device was seized and transported to a safe location, police said.

"All three individuals were taken into police custody without incident and transported to GSPS headquarters for further investigation," police said.

The 26-year-old male driver and his 19-year-old girlfriend were both charged with possession of an explosive and failing to comply with a release order.

He is further charged with driving with an open container of liquor and using a plate not authorized for the vehicle.

She is also charged with permitting the operation of her vehicle on a highway without mandatory insurance.

The third occupant, a 17-year-old, was released unconditionally without being charged.

The driver was held in police custody and attended Weekend and Statutory Holiday court while his girlfriend was released.

Sudbury police investigate after pipe bomb found in the trunk of a vehicle during a traffic stop near the intersection of Elgin and Elm streets. Sept. 28, 2024 (Dan Bertrand/CTV Northern Ontario)

She is scheduled to appear in court Oct. 30.

"The Greater Sudbury Police Service extends its gratitude to members of the public for your cooperation and patience while Police conducted the initial investigation," police said.

"The investigation into the incident is ongoing and anyone with information related to the incident is asked to contact our Criminal Investigation Division at 705-675-9171."

The GSPS extends its gratitude to the public for their cooperation in avoiding the area of Elm and Elgin during the initial stages of our investigation. The intersection is now open to vehicle and foot traffic.