A suspicious briefcase found outside an Elkhart CVS prompted an evacuation and bomb squad response Thursday afternoon, with a second suspicious backpack discovered during the investigation.
Elkhart Police said the Elkhart City 911 Communications Center received a call around 12:07 p.m. from a CVS employee reporting a suspicious briefcase outside an entrance on the north side of the store at 3600 Cassopolis St.
Officers responded and requested the Elkhart County Bomb Squad. Employees and customers were evacuated, and officers blocked access to the store and parking lot while the investigation continued.
The bomb squad arrived around 12:40 p.m. and conducted an X-ray examination of the briefcase. Police said the contents could not immediately be identified, but the X-ray showed concerning shapes and metal objects.
Bomb squad technicians then used a PAN disruptor to open the briefcase. Portions of County Road 4 and Cassopolis Street near the store were closed for about five minutes while the device was used.
No explosive devices were found inside the briefcase.
While investigating, technicians also spotted a suspicious backpack inside a locked, fenced area near the north side of the building. The backpack was also investigated as a precaution, and no explosive devices were found.
Police began reopening the parking lot and clearing the scene around 3:25 p.m., and the CVS reopened shortly afterward.
No injuries were reported, and police said there is no further threat to the public.
Elkhart Police reminded anyone who finds a suspicious package or bag not to touch, move or open it. Instead, move away from the area, keep others away and call 911.