Salmon Arm casino evacuated following discovery of ‘suspicious item’

A Salmon Arm casino had to be evacuated and the bomb squad called in following the discovery of a "suspicious item" on Saturday night.

According to a Salmon Arm RCMP media release, at around 8:30 p.m. Dec 14, police were called to Chances Casino in Salmon Arm after staff reported a "suspicious item" on-site. First responders visually examined the item and as a precaution conducted a full evacuation of the building.

The B.C. RCMP Explosives Disposal Unit travelled from the Lower Mainland to the casino the following day.

"With the use of a remotely operated device, specially trained explosives technicians were able to remove the device and render it safe on-site," Salmon Arm RCMP Sgt. Scott West said in the release. "Investigators have now determined that the device did not pose a real threat to public safety."

The police investigation is ongoing and police are urging anyone who may be able to identify the person or persons responsible for leaving the item inside the casino to contact the Salmon Arm RCMP at 250-832-6044. Or remain anonymous and call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

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