Bomb scare in Superior

SUPERIOR – A package set off a brief bomb scare at the post office in Superior Monday, Sept. 22 at approximately 8 a.m. after postal employees alerted local law enforcement to what they considered suspicious markings on the outside of the package.

Mineral County Sheriff Ernie Ornelas was the first to respond and confirmed that the package was indeed suspect at which time the building was evacuated and an Explosive Response Unit from Missoula was called in to handle the situation.

Ornelas said he sent the unit pictures of the package and they decided it needed to be investigated. The unit arrived approximately 3 hours later and began the process of examining the suspicious package.

At  approximately 11:30 a.m., the all clear was given and the post office opened for business after it was determined the package was not dangerous. Law enforcement officials did not immediately release information regarding what was in the package.

In addition to the Explosive Response Unit, an officer from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives was also on hand to aid in the investigation.

Ornelas said specific information regarding the incident could not be released at this time. He did say that the situation was handled safely and there were no reported injuries or evacuations of nearby buildings or homes.

“It had the potential to be an explosive device,” Ornelas said. “But it wasn’t. They (postal employees) saw something on the package that led them to believe it could have been an explosive device. I responded and took a look at it and agreed with them.”

After the Explosive Response Unit determined the package was innocuous, post office employees were allowed to return to work and the facility was reopened to the general public.