As four individuals face charges for allegedly keeping chemicals and making firearms in a home, investigators in London, Ont., stated on Friday that there’s no indication this involves terrorism or poses a threat to national security.
The London Police Service provided more details about the investigation during a news conference held that morning.
“We must be very careful to ensure that our investigative approach is thorough, systematic, and considers any potential national security aspects,” said Deputy Chief Paul Bastien. “In this case, we do not believe that applies.”
“This is not a terrorism investigation. This is not a national security investigation.”
Bastien mentioned that the inquiry continues and local police will stay at the scene.
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London police Deputy Chief Paul Bastien spoke at a news conference Friday at police headquarters to provide an update on their investigation at 212 Chesham Place. (Meagan Fitzpatrick/)
Jerry Tong, Zekun Wang, Fei (Frank) Han and Feiyang (Astrid) Ji are facing over two dozen charges, including possessing explosives and manufacturing firearms, following an extensive search of a residence located at 212 Chesham Place.
The investigation kicked off when police received a trespassing report from Western University on January 24 after two men entered the Claudette Mac Kay-Lassonde Pavilion just after 1 a. m. ET.
One person was apprehended right outside the building. The follow-up led officers to the nearby University Heights area where the other three were arrested.
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Police have continued to block off the house at 212 Chesham Place as they investigate the discovery of chemicals and firearms. (Kendra Seguin/CBC)
Previous police reports connected Tong with Ottawa and another property in Gatineau, Que., prompting search warrants for sites in both locations.
On Friday, authorities indicated Tong has strong ties to the Chesham Place address but did not go into further detail.
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Sean Travis, acting detective superintendent with London police, says several firearms and chemicals were found after searches were conducted on three houses. (Spencer Gallichan-Lowe/)
This video shows clips of Wang developing the system in the bed of a pickup truck verified as having been parked at 212 Chesham Place; Tong mentions their team operates a garage CNC mill and maintains its own “chemical lab on site.”
Travis noted he’s aware of these videos circulating online but added it’s too soon to determine how they relate to the explosives charges.
“It’d be irresponsible to speculate on what it could be. Our investigation is going to be led by facts,” he explained. “What I can say is that laying charges under the Criminal Code indicates we have reasonable grounds to believe.. offences have been committed.”
Bastien confirmed that “specific charges related to manufacturing firearms are not connected with the device described in the video.”
Following their briefing, police announced via release that they carried out a “safe and controlled disposal of explosives” in northeast London last weekend.
class=”video-item-title”>Q& A | Police in London Ont., discuss ongoing explosives investigation >Acting Detective Superintendent Sean Travis from London’s Police Service mentioned they’re still looking into things following arrests made during an inquiry into trespassing which uncovered both firearms along with what’s been described as “hazardous chemicals capable of being used to create explosives.”
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More information about those charged
Police have now confirmed that all four suspects are either current or former students of Western University. Court documents indicate Wang, Han and Ji all reside at the Chesham Place address.The purpose behind having dangerous materials
Sean Travis, acting detective superintendent for London police, stated that due to search warrants executed across three residences, “several” firearms and chemicals were discovered. He refrained from detailing what was found at each location or specifying how London police categorize chemicals or firearms. A video uploaded on You Tube last October features Tong, Wang, and Han discussing their work on designing a military system aimed at preventing drone attacks.A summary of charges
The four accused remain in custody as bail hearings are set for upcoming days in court. The charges include: Jerry Tong:Carrying a concealed weapon. Careless use of firearm. Possessing loaded regulated firearm. Resisting arrest. Breaking entering with intent. Occupying motor vehicle with firearm. Possessing explosive substance. Storing restricted weapon carelessly. Possessing prohibited firearm. Possessing loaded firearm at residence. Manufacturing prohibited firearm.Zekun Wang:Breaking entering with intent. Occupying motor vehicle with firearm. Possessing explosive substance. Storing restricted weapon carelessly. Possessing prohibited firearm. Possessing loaded firearm at residence. Manufacturing prohibited firearm.Fei (Frank) Han:Unlawful possession explosives including several precursor substances finished high explosives. Storing restricted weapon carelessly. Possessing prohibited firearm. Possessing loaded firearm residence. Manufacturing prohibited firearm.Feiyang (Astrid) Ji:Unlawful possession explosives including several precursor substances finished high explosives. Storing restricted weapon carelessly. Possessing prohibited firearm. Possessing loaded firearm residence. Manufacturing prohibited firearm. WATCH | London police answer questions about explosives investigation:class=”video-item-title”>Q& A | Police in London Ont., discuss ongoing explosives investigation >Acting Detective Superintendent Sean Travis from London’s Police Service mentioned they’re still looking into things following arrests made during an inquiry into trespassing which uncovered both firearms along with what’s been described as “hazardous chemicals capable of being used to create explosives.”Source link
