Beltsville Bomb Squad Call was "Good Intent"

MEDIA CONTACT: Mark E. Brady, Chief Spokesperson, 240-508-7930

Sometime this morning a Powder Mill Village apartment complex maintenance employee while working in an apartment discovered a suspicious looking item. He brought the item to the rental office and apartment complex management notified 911 of the situation at around 8:30 am. Based on the suspicious appearance of the item, which included a section of PVC pipe, wires and switches, the Fire/EMS Department Bomb Squad was alerted to respond to the 11300 block of Evans Trail in Beltsville.


Upon arrival, bomb technicians gathered as much intelligence about the package as possible, donned their protective garments and proceeded to enter the building and move forward with their investigation. After observing the package it was quickly determined it did not contain explosives. It appeared the item was a homemade electronic device similar to a science experiment project.  The appearance of the item would make any observer to be concerned.  Lt. Col. Scott Hoglander, Deputy Fire Chief of Special Operations, stated, “A call to 911 and a response by the Bomb Squad was certainly warranted in this matter. The item had a suspicious appearance and we fully endorse, ‘If you see something, say something’."



Bomb Technicians labeled the incident as “good intent” and called an all clear at about 10:30 am. “Render Safe” operations were not required. Powder Mill Road and Evans Trial were closed during the investigation and were re-opened immediately following the all clear.