- Home
- News Grid
- Local News
- Green Hawk
- Business
- Politics
- School Zone
- Nonprofits
- Missing Pets
- Multimedia
- Arts
- Movies
- Outdoors
- Sports
- News Releases
- Columnists
- Blogs
- Opinions
- Classifieds
- Advertise
- Donate
- Partners
Suspicious Item in Suitcase Forces Evacuation of Santa Maria Airport
The Santa Maria Municipal Airport was evacuated Wednesday afternoon after a suspicious item was detected inside a suitcase.
Police officers responded about 1:10 p.m. after the item being X-rayed displayed an “indicator,” prompting TSA security to immediately notify officials and evacuate the terminal.
All pre-loading passengers, employees and passengers from a plane that had just landed were escorted to a nearby hotel.
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department bomb squad sent its mechanical robot into the terminal and located the suitcase. It was opened, and the contents were deemed safe.
The terminal was reopened after four hours.
Police said no charges will be filed against the owners of the suitcase, who were headed on vacation for Christmas.
— Noozhawk managing editor Michelle Nelson can be reached at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Comments
Noozhawk's comments are moderated, but by posting here you accept your responsibility to follow our rules as part of Noozhawk's shared online community. Please keep your comments civil and helpful. Don't attack other readers personally, and do not use vulgar, abusive or discriminatory language. Use the "Report Abuse" link if a comment violates these standards or our Terms of Use.
» on 12.24.09 @ 09:17 AM
Why didn’t they just find the passenger and let them explain what was in the suitcase. Too much drama!
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
More Local News »
Goleta Police Warn Public About Recent Home Burglaries
Witnesses report seeing a suspect going door to door in the neighborhood around Scripps Crescent Street
Approval from Santa Barbara County Supervisors the Last Step for Venoco’s New Pipeline
The board will consider an ordinance allowing the company to begin transporting oil via a pipeline that has already been built, instead of by barge
Pacific Storm Expected to Bring Rain, Wind Back to Santa Barbara County on Tuesday
Weather officials say South Coast could receive up to 1½ inches of rain with wind gusting to 30 mph
Santa Barbara-Goleta-Montecito Open House Listings: Feb. 5, 2012
Coldwell Banker, Prudential and Sotheby's post Sunday open house listings
Open House Listings: Feb. 4 & Feb. 5, 2012
Weekend open house listings for Santa Barbara, Goleta, Montecito, Carpinteria and Santa Barbara County
Weather: Fair 62.0º
Search Noozhawk »
