*Updated to include suspect’s name and exact charges
A 35-year old man is facing criminal charges after allegedly spraying residents in a home with bear spray then threatening to blow them up.
Dagan Briggs is facing nine charges including two explosives charges, three assault with weapon charges and unlawful confinement, Port Alberni provincial prosecutor Graham Merke said.
Port Alberni RCMP responded to a residence at the 3900 block of Argyle Street shortly after midnight after a male told them he had been doused with bear spray by the suspect.
Briggs, who police found at the front door, was threatening to blow up the house with a device he claimed was explosive. Officers saw the device which they considered suspicious and evacuated the home’s other occupants as well as others from neighbouring homes.
Police contained the residence then contacted Briggs with via telephone. Briggs subsequently surrendered himself to police at 2:15 a.m. The device was found to be inert, or rendered unable to explode.
“During discussions between the police negotiator and the suspect the suspect potentially modified the device so it wouldn’t explode,” Allan said. “It’s unclear though if the device was in a different state than before we entered the home.”
Experts from the Explosive Detection Unit were consulted on the file and are in Port Alberni today to examine the device.
Briggs remains in police custody. He is set to appear in Port Alberni Provincial Court on June 24.
reporter@albernivalleynews.com
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