Homemade bombs and guns found after van stopped on Deerfoot Trail

A Calgary man faces charges after police say they found improvised explosive devices at a home in the city's northeast. 

On Feb. 15 around 4 a.m., a driver reported a van parked on the shoulder of Deerfoot Trail near Country Hills Boulevard. Police say a person stepped into the laneway and pointed a gun at the driver, who then pulled over and called police. 

Officers did a high-risk vehicle stop on the suspect van, a 1997 Chevrolet Venture, and took a man and woman into custody, police say. Officers found a Remington 870 12-gauge shotgun with one shell in the magazine nearby, according to a news release. 

Police say the woman was charged with possession of a small amount of methamphetamine and possession of a concealed weapon. She has since been released from custody.

The van was examined by the forensic crime scenes unit, and officers say they found a bag containing what appeared to be an improvised explosive device. The tactical unit was called in and the van contained what police believe to be three improvised explosive devices, homemade body armour and an assault-style .22-calibre rifle.

Later on Feb. 15, police executed a search warrant at a residence in the 1200 block of Eighth Avenue N.E., where investigators say they found two more devices believed to be improvised explosives, three flares, two smoke bombs and two imitation handguns.

No connections to terrorist groups

"This incident posed a very real threat to officers and citizens alike," said Staff Sgt. Mark Neufeld of the general investigations unit in an emailed statement. 

"We know many people will have concerns about the potential motivation and target of these devices. A thorough investigation has been conducted and we can say, at this time, there is no information to suggest a specific person or group of people were targeted, nor do we believe the accused has connections to any terrorist organizations."

Wayne McGuire, 52, faces more than a dozen charges related to:

• Making an explosive substance.
• Possessing an explosive substance.
• Weapons offences.  

Police say McGuire is next due to appear in court on Feb. 25.