RCMP detachments in three Alberta communities are investigating after pins were found in Halloween candy.
Thorsby RCMP said officers were called at about 10 a.m. Friday, when a local school reported a student had found a pin in a small chocolate bar.
The student had received the bar while trick-or-treating in Thorsby Wednesday night.
The pin found in the candy was described as a straight pin, and it looked like the tip had been broken off.
RCMP in Devon said a local child had found needles inserted in a number of candy packages after coming home from trick-or-treating on Halloween night.
Police said they received the call just before 9:15 p.m. Wednesday, after a child checking their candy found pins in three of their treats.
“It’s lucky that the child in this incident had the awareness to check the candies prior to them being consumed,” Sgt. Jolene Nason said in a statement. “This is a very alarming occurrence but we want to assure our Devon citizens that this is the anomaly in our community and we are working to solve this.”
Pins – described as straight pins with a curved top – were found in a marshmallow-like candy and Starburst fruit-flavoured chews, and another pin was found in a deflated bag of Cheetos. It’s believed all of the treats came from the same house.
The candy has been seized by police, and an investigation is underway. RCMP said no other incidents were reported in the area, and asked parents to check their children’s treat bags. It is not yet known which home or area in Devon the candy came from.
Thorsby RCMP said it appeared the incident there was not connected to the case reported in Devon.
Strathmore RCMP also received a report of tampered Halloween candy. In a Sunday morning press release, RCMP said a young girl opened a Rice Crispy treat to find a needle inside the square. The plastic wrapper appeared to have been opened and resealed with glue.
It is currently unknown where the candy came from.
Although this incident is of similar nature to the events in Devon and Thorsby, police said the events do not appear to be related.
