Written bomb threat found in trucker's papers

By STEVE STONE, The Virginian-Pilot © October 13, 2001

SUFFOLK -- A truck driver who had just made a delivery to a plant was detained Friday after authorities found a written bomb threat against the company mixed in with his paperwork.

Authorities said the man, whose name was not released, was not believed to be a U.S. national and was being held by the Immigration and Naturalization Service.

In addition to the INS, numerous agencies are involved in the investigation, including the FBI, the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, Virginia State Police, Suffolk police and the Suffolk fire marshal's office.

Capt. James T. Judkins, a spokesman for the Department of Fire and Rescue, said the man was driving a tractor-trailer owned by a Canadian firm. He made a delivery to the Sara Lee Coffee and Tea plant in the Wilroy Industrial Park.

Plant security officers were making a routine check as the truck was leaving about 11 a.m. when the threatening note was found with ``trucking papers.'' The contents of the note were not released.

``It contained enough information to cause the plant to be evacuated and the state police bomb squad to be called,'' Judkins said.

An all-clear came at 3:30 p.m., and employees were allowed to return to work.

Capt. Arthur G. Barrett, the fire marshal, said charges are pending against the driver.

Reach Steve Stone at 446-2309 or stone@pilotonline.com

http://www.pilotonline.com/news/nw1013bomb.html

-- Martin Thompson (mthom1927@aol.com), October 13, 2001