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Editor's note: The article has been updated with the lastest information.
A bomb scare closed off the area surrounding the Grand Forks Credit Union on Oct. 3.
The credit union building was cordoned off when a suspicious briefcase was found outside the building and Grand Forks RCMP was called in to determine what could be in the package.
“One of our employees informed us of an abandoned briefcase after opening hours around 9:30 a.m.,” explained Angela Soukoreff, a senior manager at the credit union, on Oct. 3. “We have protocols for whatever happens in the building, so we called RCMP. We haven’t touched the briefcase but all necessary precautions have been taken to investigate what the suspicious package is.”
Grand Forks RCMP Staff Sgt. Jim Harrison added that a bomb squad from Vancouver was called in. The squad, which was training in Vernon, and a dog trained for detecting bombs investigated the scene.
“We have decided to err on the side of caution,” Harrison said on Oct. 3. “After consulting with the RCMP explosive demolition unit in Vancouver, we are going to deal with this in a safe manner.”
When the police service dog attended, it indicated that there were no explosives in the briefcase. From there, the briefcase was remotely opened and found to contain nothing.
“Subsequent investigation revealed an individual we believe may be responsible for that but the investigation is continuing,” said Harrison. “That individual may be contacted and questioned later as to his motives.”
The suspect is a Grand Forks resident.
Soukoreff noted that when all was said and done, everything was OK and the branch ATMs re-opened later that day – the branch opened for business the following day.
“There was nothing in the briefcase and it was safe,” she said. “We really thank our members for their patience.”
All 37 employees were evacuated from the building as a result of the briefcase and Soukoreff said that police advised everyone to be a minimum of 91 metres (300 feet) as they investigated the briefcase.
Harrison pointed out that there is no connection to an incident in Rutland, B.C., where a briefcase was also left behind but was wired with explosives. No one was injured in that situation.