A White Rock man arrested last month in connection with a cache of chemicals found in a Prospect Avenue apartment is expected to learn Thursday (Feb. 21) if he will be released from jail.
Hamish Sutherland, 34 – who made two in-person appearances at Surrey Provincial Court last week (Feb. 7 and 14) – has been in custody since Jan. 24.
That’s when police, acting on an anonymous tip about chemicals that may pose “a significant risk to public safety,” descended on a third-floor apartment in the 15100-block of Prospect Avenue.
The response included officers with the Explosive Disposal and Chemical/Biological/Radiological/Nuclear Response Unit, the Lower Mainland Integrated Forensic Identification Services and Emergency Response Team, along with White Rock firefighters.
At the time of his arrest, Sutherland was on probation in connection with a 2009 incident in New Westminster, in which he was charged with possession of chemicals for dangerous purposes.
Outside court following Sutherland’s Feb. 7 appearance, prosecutor Michelle Wray told Peace Arch News the White Rock file is “a bit complicated.”
The police investigation is ongoing, she added.
Const. Janelle Shoihet said it is unclear how long it will be before an analysis of the seized substances is complete.
Until those results are back, “we can speculate, but we can’t say for certain” what the chemicals are, she said.