An explosive device that was discovered recently at Koncept Nightclub was safely disposed of by the RCMP Explosive Disposal Unit on Friday.
Const. Gary O’Brien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman, said the “minor explosive device” was discovered “on or about Nov. 28” at the Skinner Street establishment and police were notified Thursday.
“One of their employees found it at bar closing,” said O’Brien. “It was on the floor, they picked it up, took it home and then it came up in conversation about two weeks later. They said, ‘Oh, we should probably let the RCMP know,’ and they did and we took the action.”
O’Brien said the device, which he described as small, crude and homemade, could have done a small amount of damage to somebody if it were to blow up in their hands. It would have caused noise if it exploded in the club, but wouldn’t have caused significant damage, he said.
Management, staff and ownership are co-operating with the investigation, O’Brien said.
The club was recently taken over by new ownership and both current and previous ownership have been advised of the situation.
Nanaimo RCMP are asking anyone with information on this incident to please call 250-754-2345 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.