The suspicious, tape-wrapped package found aboard a BC Transit bus near the Legislature yesterday afternoon is no more than a poorly wrapped present.
Victoria police cordoned off a one-block radius of Government Street and Superior Street after a suspicious package was located on a B.C. Transit bus around 4:45 p.m. Monday. There were no passengers on board at the time.
The surrounding area was quickly evacuated, leading to speculation about the seriousness of the threat.
VicPD requested assistance from the RCMP Explosive Disposal Unit, who arrived just after 11 p.m. and conducted an x-ray of the package.
Once police were able to determine the package was not a threat, it was cut open and proved to be no more than a 12-pack beer box with a t-shirt and “non-threatening note” inside.
“The package does not appear to have been left to cause a concern and charges are not likely,” VicPD Const. Mike Russell said in a statement, who also thanked the public for being understanding of the situation.
The situation caused minor traffic delays throughout James Bay and downtown, as buses were rerouted to avoid the closed streets.
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