Building at YPG evacuated over bomb scare

A bomb scare forced the evacuation of a building at Yuma Proving Ground Thursday afternoon for several hours before military explosive experts determined that a suspicious package did not contain any explosives.
 
According to YPG spokesman Chuck Wullenjohn, a package was delivered to an employee at the building at about 1:30 p.m. with the phrase "bomb inside" written very small on the outside corner of  the box.
 
Wullenjohn said the employee who received the suspicious package then reported it and the installation's security and fire departments responded to the scene.
 
"An investigation is underway to determine how the writing may have got on to the package, because it is a crime," Wullenjohn said.
 
The explosive ordnance detachment at Marine Corps Air Station was also contacted and responded to the base to determine whether or not the package actually contained a bomb.
 
"They used a small charge to blow the top of the box off," Wullenjohn said. "They have since determined that there was no bomb. It turned out to be a hoax."
 
The package actually contained an automotive transmission, Wullenjohn said. Employees were allowed to return to the building at about 4:00 p.m.


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James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854.