Two men are facing a total of 20 charges after an alleged homemade pipe bomb was discovered in the trunk of a car in downtown Toronto on Tuesday.
Toronto police say they've connected the arrests to five fires started with similar devices occurring mostly downtown between mid-September and early November 2013. The alleged firebombings appear to have targeted nightclubs and restaurants, police say.
At around 3 a.m. on Tuesday morning, police pulled over a white Honda on King Street West at John Street because the license plates didn't match the vehicle. After searching the vehicle, officers discovered a 'homemade-type pipe bomb' in a duffel bag in the trunk, police said in a statement released Wednesday.
The driver and passenger were arrested, the area was roped off, and a robot was brought in to remove the bag from the trunk.
About four hours later, a member of the ETF Bomb Disposal Unit was called in, and the device was detonated.
David Pereira, 36, of Toronto, and 44-year-old Craig Stewart, of Newmarket, appeared in court Wednesday.
They were each charged with five counts of arson damage, two counts of using explosives, unlawful possession of incendiary and unlawful possession of explosives devices. Stewart was also charged with possession of an explosive substance contrary to a prohibition order and failure to comply with a recognizance.
Police say the charges are based on Tuesday's events, and the following fires:
- Liberty Street and Fraser Avenue on Sept. 18, 2013
- Liberty Street and Fraser Avenue on Sept. 30, 2013
- Old Weston Road and St. Clair Avenue West on Oct. 10, 2013
- Richmond Street West and Peter Street on Oct. 9, 2013
- King Street West and Brant Street on Nov. 5, 2013
With files from CTV Toronto's Austin Delaney
