Ottawa police arson unit investigating attempted theft at Merivale bank kiosk

Ottawa police say the arson unit is investigating an attempted theft at a TD Bank kiosk on Merivale Road.

Police say they were first called to the 1900-block of Merivale Road, south of West Hunt Club Road, at 4 a.m. A tweet at 8:19 a.m. asked residents to avoid the area, and said hazmat crews and the bomb squad (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive or CBRNE) would be attending.

The Ottawa Fire Service says its hazmat team was supporting police, but a spokesperson could not comment further, saying it was a police matter.

The business was vacant and no one was hurt. Police said there is no known risk to the public.

A damaged ATM could be seen in the area. In a statement, a TD Bank spokesperson said the company is supporting police in their investigation. 

"The ATM at 1950 Merivale Rd. is currently out of service. The closest ATMs for our customers are located at 1642 Merivale Rd. and 218 Hunt Club Rd," a spokesperson said.

In an update, Ottawa police said the arson unit would lead the investigation because of "a device used by the suspects once inside the business in an attempt to commit a theft."

"Investigators believe that one or more persons entered the building and attempted to use a device to open the cash area on an ATM. The device caused damage to the ATM but thankfully no injuries occurred," Ottawa police said in a news release Wednesday afternoon.

Gary Awad of Top Cut Barber says he received a call from police early Wednesday morning reporting the attempted theft at the ATM next door.

"The mirror was fallen down," Awad said of the damage in the business. "I think they were beating the wall or something, shaking here, and a couple of things shoved, break down."

A customer told CTV News Ottawa they were told the ATM would be closed for a couple of days.

Anyone with information to contact the Ottawa Police Arson Unit at 613-236-1222, ext. 4587 or send an email at [e-mail]. 

Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 or at crimestoppers.ca. 

--With files from CTV News Ottawa's Peter Szperling.