London bomb squad called to Ohsweken

(Updated)

A suspicious package found in Ohsweken Thursday afternoon lead to Six Nations Police calling in the OPP for help.

The OPP’s explosives unit arrived and dealt with the pipe bomb that was found at a popular local restaurant. Despite the concern, there wasn’t any explosive device found in the would be bomb.

An OPP explosives disposal unit robot was used to disable what looked like a pipe bomb at the Village Café just after 6:30pm.

Darren Montour, Six Nations Police Inspector: “It resembled a pipe bomb but there was no explosives inside of it. So, the OPP — that bang you heard was them knocking the caps off to figure out what was inside.”

The police say a waitress at the Village Café noticed a suspicious package here on the front porch of the café just after 1 o’clock. When a local First Nations police officer came in for lunch she asked him to have a look inside prompted him to immediately call dispatch.”

Darren Montour: “He called the communication centre and got our guys here, he evacuated the building and we got everybody out, the people in the plaza next door, local residents.”

The daycare across the road was evacuated as well as the school around the corner. Fourth Line from Chiefswood to Tuscarora was closed for about 6 hours. Some residents are shocked that someone would target the café.

Rose Hamilton, works nearby: “It’s pretty scary to think a there’s a bomb three doors down. Who would want to blow up the Village café? It’s a little restaurant where old people go in the morning.”

The café is owned by controversial businessman Ken Hill. Other residents say he’s not well liked. He owns a large tobacco plant just outside of town and has had run-ins with the law.

There was no video surveillance at the café. Police are continuing to investigate but so far say they have no suspects or motive. There were no injuries.