3 arrested after suspicious packages delivered to Saskatoon businesses

Police arrested three people after suspicious packages, delivered to various locations around Saskatoon, kept police, paramedics and the hazmat team busy Tuesday afternoon.

According to the Saskatoon Fire Department, an emergency call came in around 12:30 p.m. about a suspicious substance arriving in an envelope, delivered to a restaurant in the 400 block of 21st Street East.

A section of 21st Street East was shut down to vehicle and pedestrian traffic between Spadina Crescent and 4th Avenue as police investigated.

A second envelope arrived at a business in the 400 block of 22nd Street East and third was delivered to a hotel in the 300 block of Circle Drive West.

A fourth suspicious package was dropped off at a hotel in the 600 block of Cynthia Street.

Investigators spoke at a news conference Tuesday afternoon and said a fifth package had been recovered from the 200 block of 4th Avenue South.

Inspector Lorne Constantinoff said emergency services resources were taxed to to the limit.

“I mean five happening within a two-hour period really kind of caught us off guard. But, I’m happy to say that I think we responded very well,” he said.

Constantinoff noted emergency crews have responded to suspicious packages before, but said this was the most unique situation he has been involved with in 37 years on the force.

The substance sent to four of the locations was tested and turned out to be baking soda, while the fifth package was found to be talcum powder.

A man and two women were taken into custody. Each face five counts of public mischief, mischief and uttering threats to cause bodily harm.

Earlier in the day, police said they were looking for a man described as being between 40-45 years old, wearing green camo pants, black or dark coloured hiking boots and a black hoodie.

Police could not say if he is the same man they arrested.

No injuries were reported.

– 650 CKOM’s Chris Vandenbreekel was on-scene at various locations around Saskatoon during this ongoing situation.