Police detonate package found at Islamic center
The package did not contain any explosives, Columbia Police Sgt. Lloyd Simons said.
Published Nov. 16, 2007
Officers from the Columbia Police Department intentionally detonated an object, which was labeled a "suspicious package" by Columbia Police Capt. Brad Nelson, without any complications on Nov. 15. A man dropped the package, which police called an average-sized duffle bag, as he left the Islamic Center of Central Missouri, located at Fifth and Locust streets.
After an investigation following the detonation, police found no explosives "or anything concerning in the package," Columbia Police Sgt. Lloyd Simons said.
Simons said the bag contained mostly books and papers.
The bag was dropped in the playground area outside of the Islamic Center after 2:15 p.m. Individuals inside of the Islamic Center said they saw the man, were concerned about his behavior and called Columbia Police.
Simons said the man displayed "suspicious behavior" that included covering his face, possibly with an article of clothing.
When the man left the scene, he left the duffle bag inside the playground, approximately 10 yards from the buildings, Simons said.
When police responded to the call, they closed off a perimeter of approximately two blocks around the Islamic Center. The perimeter included a parking lot outside of the Islamic Center and the parking garage at the intersection of Fifth and Locust streets. Some individuals who had cars parked in these locations were unable to access their vehicles.
Police also evacuated the Islamic Center, Simons said. He said no one was injured during the investigation.
At about 4 p.m., the man who left the duffle bag returned to the scene and was recognized by patrol officers, Simons said. He was then taken into custody and interviewed.
After the man's arrest, the Columbia Police, in conjunction with the Boone County Hazardous Materials Squad, detonated the bag at about 5:10 p.m.
"That's a fairly standard procedure for a bomb squad if they find a specific device," Columbia Police Chief Randy Boehm said. "They would go ahead and explode it if it is out of harm's way."
After the detonation, police continued to collect evidence and examined surrounding buildings for damage.
Police took the man into custody, and he has yet to be released following interviewing, Simons said.
"His activity and behavior were suspicious, so we are still going to interview him further," Simons said.
Aside from the physical description Simons gave of the man, no further information about the man is available.
Boehm said the man is a "potential individual of interest" but has not been labeled as a suspect at this time.