Bomb squad investigates suspicious package in Kent; no explosives found

Kent Police and the Kent Fire Department were on the scene as a Port of Seattle bomb squad investigated a suspicious package left outside an interior door at the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center on Tuesday. - Shawn Skager/Reporter
Shawn Skager/Reporter
Kent Police and the Kent Fire Department were on the scene as a Port of Seattle bomb squad investigated a suspicious package left outside an interior door at the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center on Tuesday.

By STEVE HUNTER
Kent Reporter Courts, government reporter
January 15, 2013 · Updated 5:36 PM 

Authorities and a Port of Seattle bomb squad investigated a suspicious package left outside an interior door at the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent, but found no explosive devices.

Most of the contents were personal belongings, according to Cmdr. William Hayes of the King County Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention Kent Division.

The package was left near the administrative office of the jail commander, Hayes said.

The courthouse was not evacuated but the area near the jail was restricted "so no one would wander into the area where the bag was," Hayes said.

The jail was restricted for about 2½ hours until authorities delivered the all clear sound.

The matter is under investigation. Officials already have a tip.

"The person who left the bag was kind enough to leave their ID in the bag, so that should help," Hayes said.

A citizen reported a suspicious package around noon, said Kent Police Assistant Chief Pat Lowery in a phone interview.

King County Sheriff’s Office assisted the bomb squad. Kent Police handled traffic in the area to keep people away from the courthouse. The Kent Fire Department was on standby at the facility.

 

Contact Kent Reporter Courts, government reporter Steve Hunter at shunter@kentreporter.com or 253-872-6600, ext. 5052.

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