Police arrested an American biochemistry professor at an Ottawa hotel today over an alleged chemical threat that prompted authorities to evacuate the building, police and media reported.
"We apprehended a male at the Chimo hotel without incident," a police spokeswoman told AFP.
"He is being held on a Canada-wide warrant issued relating to charges in Nova Scotia province."
Earlier, police evacuated the hotel and brought in hazmat and tactical squads, after reportedly receiving a tip from the man's wife that he had travelled from Halifax to Ottawa in a van packed with dangerous chemicals.
The man's vehicle has also been located, police confirmed.
Local media identified the suspect as American national Christopher Phillips, and said he is a professor at a university in Halifax where he lives with his family.
They also said he was once a biochemical weapons expert for the US military, and had uttered threats against the Canadian government.
Ottawa police Constable Chuck Benoit told reporters a police negotiator contacted the suspect at the hotel at 9 am local time.
He exited his sixth floor room and was arrested on an outstanding warrant. It was "a very simple arrest," Benoit said.
Federal police in Halifax, meanwhile, cordoned off sections of the port city, which is home to Canadian navy's Atlantic fleet, after reportedly discovering deadly chemicals in vials in a suspicious package at the suspect's home.
Formal charges were expected to be laid and announced later.
