The container couldn’t be ignored.
Written on its side was the word “BOOM.”
The result was what happens when a suspicious container is spotted: The bomb squad was called.
The Loveland Wal-Mart was evacuated.
The scenario took place this morning at the Wal-Mart at 265 W. 65th St., where the quart-sized container had been placed near the front door.
The Larimer County Bomb Squad determined the container was not dangerous. It contained what appeared to be a petroleum-based liquid.
According to Sgt. Ben Hurr of the Loveland Police Department, the initial call came in at 7:45 a.m., after the package was discovered by the store manager.
Hurr said that the word “BOOM” was written on the side of the container with a marker. As of late today, the substance had not been identified.
Although the package was placed at the store on April Fools’ Day, Hurr said a motive in the incident was not known.
The store reopened at 10:45 a.m. after the container was removed.
Police couldn’t take any chances by ignoring the object, said Hurr.
He said that a suspicious-package investigation is labor intensive, necessitating not only the presence of the bomb squad but requiring additional police manpower at the scene.
Hurr said authorities are studying film from the store’s video cameras to see whether they can identify the suspect and the vehicle the suspect was driving.
No one was injured, and no arrests have been made, he said.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Loveland Officer Joe Berdin at 970-962-2052, extension 1012.
Howard Pankratz: 303-954-1939 or hpankratz@denverpost.com
