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Four people are facing multiple charges after police say a trespassing call on Western University’s campus in London, Ont. over the weekend led to the discovery of chemicals allegedly capable of making explosives in a nearby home.
London police said Tuesday that the chemicals were located in the city’s University Heights neighbourhood, north of campus. A heavy police presence remained with a bomb disposal unit on standby, and an excavator parked near the corner property at 212 Chesham Pl.
The multi-day probe began on Saturday at Western University, when officers were called around 1:40 a.m. to assist campus police with a trespasser who was taken into custody, police said.
The man, identified as a 27-year-old from Ottawa, was arrested by campus special constables after a foot pursuit, and a loaded handgun was seized, police said.
Officers later learned a second man had been involved, and the investigation led them to the home on Chesham Place, police said.
“There, officers found hazardous chemicals capable of being used to create explosives, leading to the arrest of two additional individuals connected to the residence,” police said.
Multiple charges
Four people have been charged in connection with the investigation on Chesham Place, with multiple emergency crews involved in making sure the area was safe. (Kendra Seguin / CBC News)
Fei (Frank) Han, 25, of London and Feiyang (Astrid) Ji, 21, of London have each been charged with unlawful possession of explosives.
Jerry Tong, 27, of Ottawa is charged with six offences, including carrying a concealed weapon, careless use of a firearm, possessing a loaded regulated firearm, resisting arrest, break and enter with intent, and occupying a motor vehicle with a firearm.
A 26-year-old London resident, Zekun Wang, is charged with break-and-enter with intent and occupying a motor vehicle with a firearm.
Investigators have been at the home since Saturday, police said. Several nearby streets were closed late Tuesday morning as part of the investigation.
“The London Police Service will be on the scene for an undetermined amount of time pending a search and safe removal of chemicals from the residence by specialized personnel and equipment,” police said.
Police did not elaborate on the nature of the connection between the incident on campus and the discovery of the hazardous chemicals.
Western had closed four engineering buildings on Saturday morning in relation to the initial trespassing investigation, according to the Western Gazette. The buildings had reopened by Saturday evening.
London police have closed several roads on and around Chesham Avenue for an ongoing investigation. (Google Maps)
CBC News has reached out to Western University for comment and will update this story.
The location of the road closures are:
- Chesham Avenue at Castlegrove Boulevard
- Chesham Place at Chesham Avenue
- Citation Drive at Chesham Avenue
- Citation Drive at Eastcastle Place
“Please be advised that local residents only will be permitted access beyond these points,” police said in an earlier statement.
“The investigation is in its early stages, and more information will be shared as appropriate.”
