Link Fair warning, etc. etc. 8/17/99 -- 10:37 AM
Suspicious package causes gridlock in downtown Washington WASHINGTON (AP) - A suspicious package in a service alley behind a downtown hotel turned today's morning rush hour into a nightmare for thousands of commuters. ``We took the necessary precautions,'' said Police Chief Charles Ramsey, defending the decisions that led to the closing of more than a dozen blocks to pedestrians and motorists a few blocks northeast of the White House. A homeless man discovered a leather case in an alley near Holiday Inn Crown Plaza Hotel about 5 a.m. He opened the case and described its contents to police as ``a long cylindrical object inside of the case with another box on top with lights flashing,'' said Ramsey. Police, the FBI, the Fire Department and several federal agencies sent experts to the site. An X-ray camera examined the case and the experts agreed the contents could be some kind of bomb. For 3 1/2 hours police and rescue squads closed off the area, ordering everyone to move at least two blocks away. About 400 guests at the hotel were evacuated and nearby businesses were closed. When the suspicious suitcase was blown open with a high-pressure water cannon, ``We found some materials taken possibly from a construction site,'' Ramsey said. The contents included wire, an acetylene torch and canisters. The area remained closed off for another half-hour, until crews determined there were no hazardous materials. ``The device had absolutely no hazards at all associated with it,'' said Fire Chief Donald Edwards. Copyright 1999 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Good security precautions. Do acetylene torches come with flashing lights?

-- lisa (lisa@work.now), August 17, 1999

Answers

Wonder if they'll throw that 'low IQ' homeless man in jail, burn his belongings and bury his shopping cart. The nerve of some people to take measures to do what they believe to be right!

:)

-- Will continue (farming@home.com), August 17, 1999.