Marine Device Mistaken for Bomb Empties City Hall
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LONG BEACH — A bomb scare forced the evacuation of City Hall Tuesday morning until police determined that a suspicious box found on a delivery truck contained a marine distress device that had been accidentally activated.
Authorities said a Federal Express driver was making a delivery at City Hall, located on Ocean Avenue, when the strobe light of the emergency device started flashing while it was still inside the truck.
Police spokeswoman Officer Jana Blair said the device forced the evacuation and temporary closure of the 14-story City Hall building, where more than 1,000 people work.
Late last month, Long Beach police disposed of another suspicious box that was discovered outside a Bank of America branch. When the bomb squad detonated the package, it turned out to contain thousands of dollars in cash and checks.
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