The Annapolis Police Bomb Squad “remotely opened” suspicious packages at the Crofton Community Library on Thursday, shutting down early voting there and affecting normal library operations.

The packages contained computer equipment, but the bomb squad had concerns after seeing X-rays and used a robot and a water charge to open them. It resulted in a loud noise — sounding like an explosion — that concerned some neighbors. Anne Arundel County Police will collect the pieces for evidence.

The polls were re-opened Thursday afternoon after the scene was cleared. This week, crude explosive devices were sent to prominent figures, including former presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, leading to a heightened awareness over packages.

A Crofton library employee found the two unmarked FedEx packages leaning against a tree in the rear parking lot, said library spokeswoman Christine Feldman. That employee alerted the county police and fire departments.

The report came in at 1 p.m., said fire department spokesman Russ Davies. County and Annapolis police, the county fire department and the Annapolis Police Bomb Squad were on the scene. A little after 3 p.m., the bomb squad opened the packages with the robot.

People were not allowed into the building after the packages were found. There were 66 people gathered together in one area inside the library, including voters, employees of the library, election staff and regular library customers. They were allowed to leave, but could not retrieve their vehicles until the packages were removed.

Several voters were waiting to get back inside, including Crofton resident Steven Watts. Watts did his first Facebook live to tell people it's important to vote, even if you have to wait because there's a suspicious package.

Earlier in the day, election officials were asking those looking to vote to go to the Odenton Regional Library, according to the board of elections.

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