Suspicious Van At MIA Given All Clear By Bomb Squad
MIAMI (CBS4) – A Miami-Dade Police Department bomb squad gave the "all clear" after checking out a suspicious van at Miami International Airport.
The bomb squad was called to the SE security checkpoint after a bomb-sniffing dog alerted to possible explosives in an Lan Chile Airline maintenance van as it stopped at the checkpoint, according Miami-Dade Police Det. Roy Rutland.
Sources tell CBS4 News that the dog alerted during a random security sweep conducted by the TSA. During the security sweep, the bomb-sniffing dog sat down at the rear of the van, which is the signal that the dog detected something.
Rutland says the dog was alerted to materials used in explosives, but are also used in otherwise harmless items.
To determine what was in the van, the bomb squad used a remote-control robot to remove the contents of the van which so far has included a tool box and more than a half dozen other items.
Remote-controlled bomb squad robots are equipped with video cameras, microphones and a telescoping arm for the safety of bomb squad personnel.
The SE security checkpoint was closed for several hours.
Officials say 7 inbound and 2 outbound flights were delayed by about 20 minutes while police conducted the investigation.
