A report of an abandoned vehicle containing items that appeared to be explosives triggered the large-scale police response at a Newmarket plaza on Wednesday, according to York Regional Police.
Police received a call from a citizen about the suspicious vehicle in the area of Bayview Avenue and Mulock Drive at about 3:25 p.m. Oct. 5, Const. Maniva Armstrong, media relations officer, said.
A second call regarding another suspicious vehicle in the area of Bayview and McBean Avenue was received at about the same time, Armstrong said.
The response, which included armoured vehicles, robots, drones, the YRP helicopter, a tactical unit, and York Region Paramedic Services ambulances, resulted in the closure of plaza area at Bayview and Mulock, with motorists and residents advised to avoid the area.
However, the emergency response unit determined the items in the vehicle were not dangerous.
Officers determined the second suspicious vehicle report in the area of Bayview and McBean was not related in any way, and involved a male in medical distress, who received assistance, Armstrong said.
The vehicle had been stolen and abandoned behind the plaza, Armstrong added.
The response was downscaled once it was determined there was no threat to the public, and the incident was resolved shortly after 6 p.m.
The stolen vehicle is still under investigation and there are no suspects currently, Armstrong said.
