Four people face multiple charges after police say a trespassing call on Western University’s campus last weekend led to the discovery of chemicals allegedly capable of making explosives in a nearby London, Ont., home.
The London Police Service said Tuesday that the chemicals were located in the University Heights neighbourhood west of campus. A heavy police presence remained, with a bomb disposal unit on standby and an excavator parked near the corner property at 212 Chesham Place.
The multi-day probe began Saturday at Western University when officers were called around 1:40 a.m. ET to assist campus police with a trespasser who was taken into custody, police said.
The man, identified as a 27-year-old from Ottawa, was arrested by campus special constables after a foot pursuit and a loaded handgun was seized, police said.
Officers later learned a second man had been involved, and further investigation led them to the home on Chesham Place where two more people were arrested, police said in a statement.
Speaking with reporters at the scene, Sean Travis, acting detective superintendent with London police, said observations were made in the home that “created concern about chemicals that could be used to create explosive devices, not that devices were located.”
“That isn’t the sole source of explanation for the presence of these chemicals, but they are to be treated in a way that handling them is important for the safety of all involved, which includes the emergency personnel that’s present, as well as the surrounding community.”
Travis said police could not confirm if there were any concerning messages or letters found in the home, as the investigation is underway, but confirmed a drug lab is not suspected. He said he wasn’t aware whether anything had been stolen from the university.
Multiple charges
Fei (Frank) Han, 25, of London and Feiyang (Astrid) Ji, 21, of London were each charged with unlawful possession of explosives.
Jerry Tong, 27, of Ottawa was charged with six offences, including carrying a concealed weapon, careless use of a firearm, possessing a loaded regulated firearm, resisting arrest, break and enter with intent, and occupying a motor vehicle with a firearm.
London resident Zekun Wang, 26, was charged with break and enter with intent and occupying a motor vehicle with a firearm.
Han was scheduled to appear in court on Thursday, according to court records. Updated appearance dates were not available for Ji, Tong or Wang.
‘Such an unassuming household’
Investigators have been at the home since Saturday, police said.
Several neighbours told CBC News they did not personally know any of the residents at the home, but many believed them to be students.
“It was such an unassuming household where you didn’t see any evidence of action except cars going in and out of the driveway,” said resident Stephen Waite. “There was no evidence, no reason to suspect them. They’re just some students that never raked the lawn or cut the grass.”
Shannon Porter, who lives further down the street, said the weekend’s events were unexpected.
“‘Shock’ is a good word to describe it. [Neighbours] were talking about how you you never really see anything like this,” she said.
Streets closed, campus open
Police said they would be on the scene for an “undetermined amount of time” pending a search and safe removal of chemicals from the residence by specialized personnel and equipment.
“It is still very much an active investigation, including entering the residence for a proper and thorough search,” Travis said. “I understand the local community could be very concerned about the idea of what is in the residence.”
Police did not elaborate on the nature of the connection between the incident on campus and the hazardous chemicals.
Western closed four engineering buildings on Saturday morning in relation to the initial trespassing investigation, according to the Western Gazette. The buildings had reopened by Saturday evening.
“There is an active police investigation on campus at Thompson Engineering, Spencer Engineering, Claudette MacKay-Lassonde Pavilion and Amit Chakma Building,” read an email sent to students in the engineering faculty on Saturday and reviewed by CBC News.
A subsequent email stated that the four buildings had reopened.
Neither police nor Western University would confirm whether any of the four charged are or have been students. In a statement to CBC News, Western University said it was working closely with police on the investigation.
“Our top priority is the safety of our campus community, and we have assurance from LPS that the buildings involved in the weekend incident are secure and safe,” the statement said.
Several roads near the residence remain closed as of Tuesday night, including:
- Chesham Avenue at Castlegrove Boulevard.
- Chesham Place at Chesham Avenue.
- Citation Drive at Chesham Avenue.
- Citation Drive at Eastcastle Place.
“Please be advised that local residents only will be permitted access beyond these points,” police said in an earlier statement.
They are asking the public to avoid the area.
