Inert grenade found after alleged bike thief stopped on University of Waterloo campus

Police have recovered an inert grenade after a man allegedly riding a stolen bicycle was stopped on the University of Waterloo (UW) campus on Tuesday morning. 

Police were called to the school around 6 a.m. after members of UW's Special Constable Service saw a man riding a bike on campus that had been reported stolen. The inert grenade was found when the constables were arresting the man, police said.

According to Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS), an inert grenade is empty and doesn't contain explosive material. It can mimic a live grenade by producing a popping sound and it is used during training and demonstration purposes.

When WRPS arrived on scene, the university sent a notice via texts and on their website to staff and students informing them that police were on campus for an active investigation. 

"The campus remains open," the notice had read in part. "If you're on campus, follow instructions from the authorities."

Once police completed their investigation, they determined there were no public safety concerns. Staff and students were updated through UW's notification system letting them know that "the campus remains open for normal activities following the investigation."

Police have charged a 36-year-old man from Cambridge with:

• Possession of stolen goods under $5,000 (two counts).
• Possession of identity documents.
• Possession of break and enter tools.

Anyone with information is being asked to call police.