Bomb threat made to GE plant

A 50-year-old Welland man faces a number of charges after an employee at GE’s Welland Brilliant Factory found a note warning the construction site had been mined with explosive devices, said Niagara Regional Police.

Shortly after 9 a.m. Tuesday, police said in a news release issued Thursday afternoon, the unnamed employee found the note, which said several devices had been planted at 287 Silverthorn St., and were set to explode at prescribed times with the intent to cause harm to as many people as possible.

The work site was evacuated and all personnel were removed to areas of safety, as police, Welland Fire and Emergency Servcies and Niagara Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene.

Police said, in accordance with GE job site and their own protocols, the facility was examined for evidence of explosive devices after the deadlines for the explosions had passed.

No devices were located and construction crews were able to return to work by 2 p.m.

Construction on the 45,000-square-metre facility, in Harry Diffin Industrial Park, began last year. The US$165-million facility is on schedule for occupancy at the end of May 2018. It is expected to initially employee up to 200 people.

After the threat, police began an investigation.

Police arrested Christopher Reece.

He is charged with break and enter with intent, utter threats of death, and mischief to property.

Police said an investigation into the motivation behind this incident is continuing.