Calgary

Charges laid after man falsely claims he placed explosive in car

A man who told police he had placed an explosive device in a car in southeast Calgary has been charged. 

Hoax shut down segment of CTrain network for hours on Wednesday

Police dealt with a report of an explosive device near the Best Western Plus on Macleod Trail on Wednesday. (Terry Trembath/CBC)

A man who told police he had placed an explosive device in a car in southeast Calgary has been charged. 

The incident took place on Wednesday and shut down CTrain service between Erlton and 39th Avenue S.E. for hours. 

It started around 10 a.m. when a man called 911 to report a suspicious vehicle parked behind the Best Western hotel in the 3600 block of Macleod Trail S.E., according to police. 

While he was on the phone, an officer attending a separate matter happened to walk into the restaurant where the caller was located. 

Suspicious behaviour

The caller then told the officer about his concerns, but the officer found the man's behaviour suspicious. The officer identified him and arrested the man for breach of condition, according to police. 

The man then told the officer he had placed an explosive in a car located nearby. 

Police said the tactical unit was called to assist and the area was locked down. Several buildings were evacuated. 

"At approximately 3 p.m., the tactical unit was able to safely clear the vehicle and determine that the explosive threat was not legitimate," reads a news release on the incident. 

Police say they've charged Yunbiao Wang, 30, with falsely reporting an offence and failure to comply with a release order.