Bomb Scares Abound: 12 Suspicious Packages Of 2015
DETROIT (CBS Detroit) - An abandoned box, backpack, or briefcase — nothing causes a commotion quite like a "suspicious package" left in a public place. In each of these instances, the bomb squad was called in to investigate...but it turned out to be nothing too dangerous.
Here are the stories of 12 suspicious packages found in metro Detroit in 2015 (in order of delivery):
1/12 - Detroit Police Investigate Suspicious Package Delivered To Hotel Across From Cobo Center: The package was addressed to an unregistered guest at the Crowne Plaza hotel downtown — with the Auto Show preview going on across the street. "It's actually worse of a suspicion because there's a large French delegation saying at the hotel," a police officer said.
1/20 - Detroit-Windsor Tunnel Reopens After Shutdown Over Package: Canadian border agents were inspecting a vehicle with Michigan plates when they found a bag containing a suspicious device, police said, leading to an hours-long closure of the tunnel. In the end, police said, a smoke bomb, brass knuckles and knives were confiscated.
3/24 - Portion Of Macomb Mall Briefly Closed Due To Bomb Scare: A mysterious package found next to a transformer prompted Roseville police to shut down a section of Macomb Mall in Roseville. Customers were greeted by yellow tape upon arrival at the Gratiot and 12 Mile shopping center — but the object ended up being nothing to be alarmed about.
6/4 - Barrels Left Behind By Construction Crew Cause Scare In Downtown Detroit: A bomb squad and HAZMAT crew were called as a precaution, and the public was asked to avoid the area — near Washington Blvd. and State St. —after a trio of mysterious barrels set off a scare.
7/16 - Suspicious Object Prompts Bomb Scare At Dearborn Heights City Hall: A tennis ball wrapped in duct tape and deemed suspicious was the cause of a bomb scare outside Dearborn Heights City Hall. The bomb squad used a specialized robot to open the device, but nothing exploded and no one was hurt. A paper towel was found inside.
8/14 - Walmart Evacuated Over 'Suspicious' Backpack With Wires, Threatening Note Found After Man Screams 'Death To Honkies, Death To Obama': The headline pretty much says it all here. Police said the situation was heightened by a "set of perfect circumstances" that occurred at the Roseville Towne Center store over the prior 12 hours.
8/17 - Phony Bomb Fashioned From Fondant Causes Scare At Detroit Federal Courthouse: The all clear has been given outside the federal courthouse in downtown Detroit after authorities examined a suspicious device that turned out to be a sugary treat. "Someone actually used fondant…it's used in baking...to create an M-80 — complete with fuse and all."
9/14 - Palace Of Auburn Hills Evacuated Due To A Suspicious Package: "This is a good example for someone seeing something and saying something about something that was suspicious/out-of-place," said Palace officials after a homemade battery charger left behind by a contractor caused a scare.
10/14 - Novelty 'Hand Grenade' Draws Bomb Squad Response On Detroit's East Side: It wasn't a grenade — but it sure looked like one. That's what Detroit police said about a "suspicious object" found along Gratiot Ave. near Mt. Elliot St.
11/6 - Guardian Building Evacuated After Masked Man Drops Package Outside: The historic downtown building, which houses some Wayne County government offices, was evacuated after a masked man left a suspicious metal package outside. A note on the box read: "open me."
12/1 - Man Mentions ISIS, Leaves Bag Behind Causing Scare At Sterling Heights Meijer: Police said a misunderstanding or over-reaction led to the evacuation of a Meijer store at 16 Mile Road and Van Dyke. Moral of the story: Don't talk about terrorism before you leave your backpack behind.
12/8 - Bomb Squad Called After Shopper Spots Suspicious Device Outside Dearborn PetSmart: A bomb squad was called to the scene after a customer spotted a suspicious device in the parking lot of the pet supply store. Police said the object — whatever it was — was found to be "inert"
Did we miss any? Comment below.
