Incendiary devices discovered in Courtepin, residents evacuated and several military vehicles set on fire in Grolley

This night, shortly after 3:30 a.m., during a patrol, the police wanted to check a motorcyclist who was traveling from Belfaux towards Misery. After activating the blue lights and the “police stop”, the motorcyclist fled and headed towards Courtepin. In this locality, on the Route de l’Industrie, he forced the police roadblock and continued his flight. The searches undertaken made it possible to find the motorcycle and arrest the fugitive in the village.

The motorcyclist, aged 28, was taken to the police station and placed in pre-trial detention. During the search of his home, the police discovered several homemade incendiary devices. From this moment, various specialists were alerted and mobilized, in particular EOD (neutralization, removal, destruction of explosives) of the Vaud cantonal police. At the same time, buildings 2 and 4 on rue du Verger in Courtepin were preventively evacuated and nine people were taken into care.

Later in the morning, the Cantonal Police were informed that several army vehicles had been damaged by a fire in Grolley, at the army logistics center (CLA). Most likely, these cases are related.

The population is not in danger.

Criminal proceedings have been opened by the Friborg Public Prosecutor’s Office.

Significant resources are committed to both prevention and investigative measures on the Courtepin and Grolley sites; firefighters, ambulances, investigators and specialists are on site.

As it stands, no further information will be communicated.