Officials: Package ‘resembled’ a bomb

By The Daily Progress Staff

Published: July 22, 2008

A suspicious package found at a house in Albemarle County “resembled an improvised explosive device,” officials are now saying.

Authorities have a suspect in the case, but his name is not being released because of ongoing investigations.
The owner of the house at 6271 Plank Road discovered the device while cleaning after a tenant who recently left, according to county spokeswoman Lee Catlin.

Several agencies responded to the scare — and didn’t clear the scene until eight hours after arriving.

A neighbor said the device was removed from the house by a robot that pulled it down the back stairs, then shot it with what appeared to be a water cannon. No one was hurt in the incident.

Investigators are trying to determine whether the apparent IED had the ability to actually explode, Catlin said in a statement. The package has been submitted for laboratory examination.

Albemarle fire marshals are continuing to investigate, along with county police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.