TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Not A Bomb: Suitcase Causes Supersized Inconvenience

ADVERTISEMENT

By MICHELLE BEARDEN, The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 5, 2008

Updated: 08/05/2008 02:07 pm

TAMPA - A suitcase filled with clothes caused traffic congestion in North Tampa as deputies shut down a road and detonated the suspicious baggage in a McDonald's parking lot.

Customers and employees evacuated the McDonald's restaurant at Bearss and Florida avenues during lunchtime after someone reported a suspicious package — a lone red suitcase — in the parking area.

The eastbound lanes of Bearss were closed at about 12:15 p.m., and employees and others standing outside the restaurant were told to stand at least 300 feet away for about an hour.

The red carry-on with wheels was found between the McDonald's, at 104 W. Bearss Ave., and a Tampa Bay Federal Credit Union branch next door about 10:30 a.m.

A bomb squad using a robot examined the suitcase, and Hillsborough County sheriff's deputies, firefighters and other emergency workers surrounded the building.

The first attempt to detonate the suitcase by a remote receiver failed so deputies had to use a cable to blow it up, said Sgt. Robert King III of the sheriff's office.

Upon its explosion, the suitcase yielded a blanket and clothing.

Linda Hendrixson, a 22-year employee of McDonald's, has been a manager at the location for one week.

She said her 12 employees and all the customers in the restaurant took less than five minutes to leave the building after officers told them to evacuate.

Still, she said, this was "not what I expected" for her first week on the job.

Lanette Lundblade of Baytown, Texas, was oblivious to the commotion surrounding the restaurant. She and her friend decided they wanted a hamburger at the moment and had driven in through the back entrance during the evacuation.

"I had no clue. I need to get back to Texas, where it's safe," Lundblade said. "I need to get over to Burger King."

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT