It was a routine traffic stop that was anything but.

In the midst of the highest security downtown Toronto has ever experienced, police stopped a car that had a large silver box strapped to the roof. Inside, they found a crossbow, a sledgehammer, four baseball bats and a couple of fuel canisters.

The Thursday afternoon discovery just steps from the Novotel hotel on Scott St. just off Yonge St. sparked a security scare that drew a throng of police officers and inspectors in haz-mat suits to the area on the day that G8 and G20 leaders were expected to start arriving in town.

Police have arrested a 53-year-old man, and laid a dangerous weapons charge.

“At this time, it is not believed to be related to the G20 summit but the investigation is ongoing,” said Integrated Security Unit spokesperson Nina Snyder.

The drama unfolded around 12:30 p.m. when police say a silver Hyundai Elantra drove onto Scott St. from the Esplanade where police officers had been monitoring the Novotel hotel workers strike. The car caught police attention for its fairly large silver box strapped to the roof the car.

“In the car we found weapons of opportunity — baseball bats, fuel canisters, a crossbow,” said Const. Hugh Smith.

“Through the questioning, there were concerns there for the officers to make an arrest. Again, we’re not sure of the design, but if it’s unusual for you, it’s unusual for us,” said Smith.

The haul also included large jugs, tools, metal rods and a laptop bag as well as three notebooks.

Police arrested the man, who they said seemed disoriented when asked about his purpose in the area.

“One has to wonder what the plan was,” said Bill McIntosh, a passerby who watched the entire incident. “They put him into the wagon without a fight. He looked displeased,” he said, describing the man as middle aged with glasses.

About 40 police on bicycles formed a human fence around the car, as officers, firefighters and members of the hazardous material unit went through some of the material, creating a safety perimeter.

Since they didn’t seem to find anything that could pose as a threat, they cleared the area by about 2:45 p.m.

“That’s a good indication that it wasn’t anything too concerning,” said Smith.

Provincial records show the car is registered to a Gary A. McCullough.

The scene was clear by about 4 p.m. as police hauled the vehicle away. They also collected the unusual assortment of items, none of which, on their own, are illegal.

On Thursday night police said Gary McCullough of Whitby has been charged with one count of weapons dangerous and was to appear in court Friday.

“At this time this incident is not a concern to the ISU,” said spokesperson Nena Snyder.

Earlier in the afternoon in a special court set up to hear G20-related charges, Kirsten Peterson was remanded in custody for another appearance Saturday afternoon.

Media and public were forced into the overflow room where they were streamed a poor quality video and audio feed of the proceedings. A publication ban has been placed on the proceedings.

Peterson, 37, a visual artist, was charged with possession of an explosive device and possession of a weapon “for a dangerous purpose.”

Peterson was arrested after police executed search warrants Wednesday in the Township of Tiny and in the Township of Lake of Bays. She was arrested one day after her common-law husband, Byron Sonne, was arrested.

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Police raided their Forest Hill home on Tuesday and charged Sonne with mischief, possession of explosives, weapons and of intimidating “justice system participants.”

Both are accused of obtaining the ingredients to make triacetone triperoxide — a dangerous explosive substance.

With files from Noor Javed