Dear Community,
Yesterday (08/25/05) at about 6:00p.m. UCPD responded to a report of a suspicious package near the new Physical Sciences building. Our officers were told that two people were seen going into the bushes with a metal box and that the individuals hid the box near a tree and left. UCPD officers went into this area and found a metal dark green military ammunition container camouflaged with paint and shrubbery. Based upon these odd circumstances and the possibility that the container might have some type of explosives within it; UCPD established! ! a safety perimeter, evacuated the Physical Science building and closed down a portion of Big Springs Road. The Riverside Police Department's Bomb Squad also responded to the area. During the course of these proceedings, the two previously observed individuals returned. They explained that they were a part of a scavenger hunt and that the container was not dangerous and contained clues related to the game. Upon further investigation, theses claims were determined to be true. By about 7:30p.m. the roadway and building were re-opened.
UCPD would like to take this opportunity to discourage individuals from playing such games. If you are a part of a scavenger hunt and have placed such items on our campus, remove them immediately. UCPD continues to encourage our community to contact us if suspicious activities or packages are discovered. Do not attempt to approach or tamper with ! ! a suspicious package and call UCPD at 827-5222 (non-emergency) or dial 911 in the case of an emergency.
Mike Lane
Chief of Police
