It all began shortly after noon, when two Anaheim police volunteers were flagged down in the Auto Club office parking lot at 420 North Euclid St., at Anaheim Plaza. (I was inside the driving school classroom preparing paperwork for an upcoming new instructor class)
Witnesses told the police volunteers that they saw a blue sedan with two men pull into the southwest portion of the parking lot. They said that one man got out of the vehicle, took a small container out of a canister and placed it inside a light pole, Martinez said. The light pole has a small hatch at the base, which the man opened, he said.
About a dozen fire trucks (more like 15 or 20!) from Anaheim and Fullerton were sent to the area. A hazmat team and the Orange County bomb squad were called to analyze the container, Martinez said. (and a _ _ _ _ load of police!)
At around 5 p.m., the bomb squad opened the package and found the note, (I didn't hear what the note read) Martinez said.
"It's fortunate that it turned out to be harmless," Martinez said. "It's unfortunate that so many resources were expended for five hours to determine that this was harmless." (I didn't have a very productive day today)Martinez cautioned geocaching players that their actions could be interpreted by passersby "as somebody trying to cause harm."
He encouraged people who witness suspicious activity to notify the police. "You never know," he said. "The one time somebody does not report something that was suspicious may be the one time that they should have reported it."
It doesn't appear that any laws were broken by the men who put the container inside the light pole, Martinez said. (Really????)
The Auto Club offices, Party City and Bank of America were evacuated.
I'm back at home safe and sound this evening *smiles*
9 comments:
How scary! Glad everything turned out OK. I bet those geocachers will be a little embarassed if they hear about the incident.
Did they let you go home early?
What a day ...definately worth everything being checked ...even though it was a hoax. Over here the culprits would be charged with 'wasting police time and resourses'. I think it results in a large fine but if there are other consequences they could get a prison sentence.
Just checked what geocatchers are ....never heard the expression ... they probably wouldn't get into trouble but I feel they would get a warning in this climate of fear.
Oh, my! I'm sure a lot of people felt the same way you did!! Sure glad it turned out to be a hoax.
Yikes!!! That would be truly frightening to watch, and I'm glad it turned out to be something harmless.
Wowza! A little excitement for the day, eh? Too bad so many resources were expended, but on the other hand, where's an honest person supposed to hide their stuff? lol
What a day you had. It is sad that it has come to this today. But really people should think before doing something that could cause concern today. Life has changed as we know it, hasn't it.
Thanks for visiting me I am still hard at it in the garden. Have discovered muscles I forgot I had.LOL Will eventually take photos.
Whoa, that would be scarey, and as the officials say, you just never know - it could have been something 'rather explosive'. Glad your day ended in a good way.
Sue:)
Wow!! My heart would have been beating like crazy...so glad it was nothing serious...
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