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Suspicious package detonated at Sweetbay

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TBO.com

Published: September 27, 2009

Updated: 09/27/2009 10:27 pm

NEW PORT RICHEY - Shortly after 9 pm., the Tampa Police Bomb Squad robot, guided by an officer observing via video, detonated a package that was left at the customer service counter of the Sweetbay Supermarket in New Port Richey.

The explosion followed shouts by police of "fire in the hole, fire in the hole."

About 15 minutes later, the robot dragged the package out of the store and detonated it again, according to New Port Richey Police Sgt. Steve Costas.

The incident began around 5:30 p.m., he said. A man brought a package into the store, placed it on the customer service counter and demanded money.

The package, described by Costas as being about 6-inches by 8-inches, had a lot of duct tape on it and wires sticking out.

In the ensuing confusion, the man ran out of the store. It is unclear if he received any money, Costas said.

He was described as a white male, wearing sunglasses and a bandanna.

Costas said police are investigating whether the man was alone or had accomplices.

A New Port Richey police officer arriving at the store observed the package and ordered the store evacuated.

The scene was cleared by 10 p.m.

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