Man charged after 2023 Barrie car explosion
A 36-year-old man is facing multiple charges linked to a car explosion in Barrie that forced the evacuation of an apartment building, police announced Tuesday.
In a news release, Barrie police said the accused was involved in an explosion that happened in the parking lot at 108A Anne St., near Edgehill Drive and northwest of Highway 400, on Sept. 27, 2023.
Police previously said emergency services received several 911 calls about a car exploding shortly before 3 a.m. that morning.
An improvised explosive device was also found in a nearby garden. Police said at the time that investigators believed such a device was placed near the gas tank of the car that exploded and the second device may have been attached to the first.
No one was injured in the blast, but the discovery of the exploded car and unexploded device prompted police to evacuate a nearby apartment complex, particularly units that faced the parking lot.
Police say a 36-year-old man was arrested in Ajax on Monday and now faces several charges, including causing an explosion, possessing explosives, making an explosive device, arson and failing to comply with a release order.
The accused was held in custody. He is scheduled to appear by video in court on June 4.
"The Barrie Police Service Major Crime Unit, who have co-ordinated and led this investigation, wish to acknowledge, and thank the community for their input, support and understanding over the past eight months while this investigation was carried out and culminated in yesterday's arrest," police said in the news release.
