Suspicious package cleared at federal courthouse

Detroit — First responders closed down an area near the Theodore Levin U.S. Courthouse Monday morning after a suspicious package was found near the entrance ramp to the building.

An examination of the device showed it to be a styrofoam ball wrapped in black plastic with toothpicks sticking out of it.

“The white stuff inside the ball is called fondant,” said Officer Steve Murdock of the Detroit Police Department Bomb Squad. “It’s a type of styrofoam that usually used to make wedding cakes. We checked security tapes and they showed some kids placing the ball near the ramp at about 10 p.m. Sunday.”

Detroit police and fire, EMS and the federal authorities were called to the building at about 8 a.m. Monday, blocking Fort between Washington and Shelby.

Police strung yellow police tape near the entrance to the federal building and diverted pedestrians and traffic around the structure. Police broke down the scene and opened the road to traffic shortly before 9 a.m. Monday.

TGreenwood@detroitnews.com

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