Possible Explosive at Hercules Police Station Was Harmless

HERCULES, CA- A "fake bomb" brought in to the Hercules Police Department by a citizen led to evacuations this afternoon, but ultimately turned out to be harmless, a police spokeswoman said.

A citizen initially came to the combined police department and city hall at 111 Civic Drive at 2:58 p.m. with what he believed was a fake bomb to have it disposed of, Hercules police spokeswoman Connie Van Putten said.

Upon inspection, police suspected that it might be a real explosive device and Walnut Creek Police Department's bomb squad was called to the scene for further examination.

Shortly after 3 p.m., the building was evacuated and people in the Hercules Senior Center, Samara Terrace Senior Apartments and Hercules Library - all buildings in close proximity - were ordered to shelter in place. Van Putten said children inside the nearby library were evacuated as well. As of 4:15 p.m., the bomb squad had arrived at the scene.

At 5:50 p.m. they determined that the bomb was indeed fake, gave the all-clear and lifted the shelter-in-place order, according to Van Putten.

By Bay City News