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Perimeter lifted. Suspect at large (update)

10:30 p.m. update: The standoff at Canadian Tire came to an end earlier this evening when Ontario Provincial Police Tactical and Rescue Unit and Canine Unit entered the building and found the suspect or suspects had left sometime earlier in the day.

10:30 p.m. update:

The standoff at Canadian Tire came to an end earlier this evening when Ontario Provincial Police Tactical and Rescue Unit and Canine Unit entered the building and found the suspect or suspects had left sometime earlier in the day.

A few emergency vehicles are still in the area but traffic flow is returning to normal and the perimiter has been lifted.

Police are ask anyone who notices suspicious activity involving person or persons with a long gun rifle; or who has any information about this crime, to report incident to 911.

TimminsToday's Frank Giorno will have the full story later this evening.

8:35 p.m. update:

Police report that the area around Highway 101 West is no longer deemed a public safety threat and has been reopned to traffice in both directions.

The perimiter around Canadian Tire is still in place and the standoff continues.

7:45 p.m. update:

Police have changed the detour route around the area of the armed standoof at Canadian Tire.

"[The] Perimeter remains in place around Canadian Tire at this time," say police.

Large vehicles were beginning to damage the road so Timmins public works closed Mahoney Road to through traffic. 

It's now passable only to local traffic.

"[The] Detour for east bound vehicles remains Jaguar Road to Sandy Falls Road to Shirley Street," say police. "Highway 101 West is still closed at this time."

4:40 p.m. update:

A section of the city remains blocked off by police as a standoff with an armed intruder inside Canadian Tire that began in the wee hours of the morning stretches to the 12-hour mark.

Timmins Police are still advising the public to stay away from a perimeter that is still in effect with Highway 101 West closed at Walmart and Jaguar Road. Detours are Shirley Street to Sandy Falls Road for wesbound traffic and Jaguar Street to Sandy Falls Road for eastbound traffic.

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call Timmins Police at 705-264-1201.

Please don't call Timmins Police for information on the ongoing incident, the police service advises.

2:41 p.m. update:

Timmins Police report that the target of this morning's break and enter was firearms and that the perimeter is being held.

"At least one suspect" was involved.

Also, police are telling the public not to call them to find out which stores are closed and when they will be opening.

2:17 p.m. update:

Police have just provided media with an update on the situation. There have been no new developments.

Police confirm one person is believed to have broken into the Canadian Tire early this morning.

OPP have taken over command of the scene and have not ruled out a link to the possible sighting of homicide suspects in Timmins.

11:27 a.m. update:

Timmins Police indicate via Twitter that it remains unknown whether this morning's incident is related to the search for Toronto homicide suspects.

Police indicate the businesses affected at this point are Canadian Tire, Home Depot, Penningtons, Micheals, Marks, and Esso has now been evacuated as well.

11:08 a.m. update:

We have received information that some businesses in the area have been locked down. At least some employees in those businesses have been told they cannot leave the area.

10:58 update:

From Timmins Police:

Update on ongoing situation: OPP are actively involved in incident and have deployed resources to the scene.

Perimeter has expanded for public safety reasons.

Hwy 101 W closed at Government Road and at Jaguar Rd. Detour via Shirley St/Jaguar Rd.

Anyone having any information is asked to call the Timmins Police Service at 264-1201.

Anyone seeing anything suspicious is asked to call 911.

9:53 a.m. update:

Police are reiterating that the public in the area should not share details of police activity on social media.

"This info could be pertinent to the investigation and we would not want to compromise that," Kate Cantin, Timmins Police spokesperson told TimminsToday.

Timmins Mayor Steve Black posted the following note on Facebook, asking the same thing of residents:

"I would ask residents to not post details or photos that may give locations of our emergency and police personnel or updates of additional resources going to the location. Please let our men and women at TPS and their partners in other agencies who work to serve and protect our community do their job without jeopardizing their positions and protection as well," said Black.

9:27 a.m. update from Timmins Police:

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Contrary to some reports, there is NOT an OPP helicopter on scene at this point.

All five stores in perimeter (Canadian Tire, Home Depot, Penningtons, Micheals, and Marks) are closed at this time and will be closed until further notice.

Hwy 101 W remains open to traffic, however we are asking the public to avoid perimeter area if possible.

Area residents asked not to post officers locations or activities.

9:20 a.m. update:

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We will continue to provide information on this ongoing situation at Canadian Tire when we can.

Please avoid area if possible.

Riverside Dr remains open at this time.

Government Road closed at Riverside.

Please keep an eye on our official social media sites for the most accurate information.

Earlier update:

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At approx 4:30 am, police responded to a break & enter call at Canadian Tire.

TPS Emergency Response Team on scene at Canadian Tire.

Police believe an armed individual is contained inside the building.

Police have evacuated Home Depot and Canadian Tire.

Corporate Communications Coordinator on scene - will speak to media shortly.

Hwy 101 W is open to traffic at this time.

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(PHOTO: A helicopter can be seen on the scene of today's standoff at Canadian Tire. Courtesy of Robin Allen)