Suspicious package spurs major response

By The Daily Progress Staff

Published: July 21, 2008

A suspicious package found in an Albemarle County house prompted a response from six police, fire and rescue agencies Sunday. It wasn’t until eight hours later that authorities “rendered the package safe,” according to a county spokeswoman.

The spokeswoman, Lee Catlin, declined to describe the contents of the package and would not say if it contained an explosive.

Neighbors of the Plank Road residence, however, said they were told that a man had attempted to make a homemade bomb.

One neighbor said the package 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.
Catlin said the Albemarle fire marshals are still investigating. 

No one was hurt in the incident. Authorities would not release additional details.