Crime & Safety

Area Safe After Suspicious, Empty Briefcase

A driver reported a suspicious briefcase Monday night, prompting a closure of the Foothill (210) Freeway during rush hour.

Sheriff's deputies today were investigating why above the Foothill (210) Freeway in La Crescenta.

The California Highway Patrol received a call from a driver reporting a suspicious package on the Rosemont Avenue bridge above the freeway about 5:45 p.m. Monday, Sheriff’s Sgt. Tracy Stuart of Crescenta Valley Station told Patch.

from La Crescenta Avenue to Ocean View Boulevard, on the border of La Canada Flintridge, Stuart said. 

Find out what's happening in Montrose-La Crescentawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

An explosives robot began inspecting the briefcase, but it was a sheriff's deputy in protective gear who determined that nothing was inside it, Lt. Angela Shepherd told Patch. 

The briefcase was not exploded by a robot, Shepherd said.

Find out what's happening in Montrose-La Crescentawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The briefcase did not explode from within, and a loud noise was heard while deputies were rendering the package safe and checking to see what was inside, sheriff's Deputy Tim Wainscott of the arson and explosives unit told Patch.

Both the eastbound and westbound lanes of the freeway from Ocean View Boulevard to La Crescenta Avenue were re-opened just after 7 p.m. Monday. The briefcase was rendered empty and the area deemed safe.

Deputies at the scene closed off the area above the freeway, on Rosemont Avenue, between Altura and Mayfield avenues. Neighborhood residents were not evacuated, but those trying to drive to their homes were held back until deputies allowed them back.

"We live on Altura and saw the robot driving around- thanks for updating, they wouldn't tell us anything!!! Casey Primo said on Montrose Patch's public Facebook page.

Note: Due to incorrect information gathered at the scene, an earlier version of this story reported the briefcase was exploded.


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