Toronto police say no criminal intent with tunnel
By ROB GILLIES, Associated Press
Mar 2, 2015 7:57 AM CST

TORONTO (AP) — Police said Monday that two men built a mysterious tunnel discovered in Toronto and there was no criminal intent.

Police said in a statement that two men told investigators they built the tunnel for "personal reasons." Police investigators verified their account and are satisfied there was neither criminal intent nor any threat to the public. Police said they received information about the builders last Friday. The statement did not identify the men or explain why they built the tunnel.

"Our concern was whether there was any criminal intent or threat to the people or the city. There was not. The investigation is concluded," Toronto police spokesman Mark Pugash said.

The tunnel was 10 meters (10 yards) long and two meters (two yards) high. It wasn't near any infrastructure but it was located about 25 meters (27 yards) from the fence of the Rexall Centre entertainment complex, which hosts the Canadian Open tennis tournament in the summer and will be used to host tennis events for the Pan American Games in July. There were fears it was possibly terror related but police said last week it didn't represent a threat to the games.

The chamber was discovered Jan. 14 in a secluded wooded area by a conservation officer. Police found plywood wall supports, a gas generator, moisture resistant light bulbs, a sump pump for removing ground water, a wheelbarrow and food and beverage containers. They also found a rosary with a Remembrance Day poppy nailed to a wall. Canada commemorates its war veterans on Remembrance Day.

Deputy Police Chief Mark Saunders said last week it was warm and comfortable inside. Police believed it was used during the winter.