Updated Sept. 12 at 8 a.m.
Greater Sudbury Police are searching for a man who allegedly set off a small explosive device behind the Montrose Mall Sunday afternoon.
Just after 2 p.m. Sept. 11, a man carrying a small duffle bag walked behind the mall on Lasalle Boulevard. He set the bag on the ground, and ignited something inside, causing a small flash explosion that set the bag on fire.
The man was standing next to the duffle bag when the explosion occurred, but didn't appear to be injured when he left on foot.
Police have recovered what appears to be a very simple homemade explosive device. The explosion didn't cause any damage to property.
The man responsible for the incident is Caucasian, middle-aged, with shoulder-length light-coloured hair. He was wearing a red t-shirt and jeans.
The police are asking for the public's assistance in locating this man.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Greater Sudbury Police at 705-675-9171, ext. 2611 or 2612 or Crime Stoppers at 705-222-TIPS or by texting TIPSUD and the information to CRIMES (274637).
Original story:
Greater Sudbury Police are investigating after a small fire broke out behind the strip mall on Montrose Avenue on Sunday afternoon.
A witness said he saw a fire in the area followed by a loud bang. But an officer at the scene was hesitant to describe it as an explosion.
“It was more flame than anything,” he said, as a police forensics van arrived to examine the scene.
Visible on the ground where the blaze took place was a silver can about the size of a big coffee tin, and charred pieces of what looked like a small suitcase or bag.
There was no signs of other damage in the area, including to windows directly behind where the fire took place.
This story will be updated when more information is available.
