Cops: ‘Suspicious package’ at Bellmore post office was empty bag

Police investigate a "suspicious package" discovered outside the U.S. Post... — Police investigate a "suspicious package" discovered outside the U.S. Post Office in Bellmore on Friday, Aug. 25, 2017. It was determined to be an empty insulated bag. Credit: Howard Schnapp

By John Valentijohn.valenti@newsday.comAugust 25, 2017

A “suspicious package” found outside the U.S. Post Office in Bellmore on Friday morning, forcing the evacuation of the building and the closure of Merrick Road, turned out to be an empty insulated bag, Nassau County police said.

Police said a 911 call reporting the find was received at 9:35 a.m. Emergency service unit officers and arson/bomb squad detectives responded and investigated the package, but found nothing.

“There was no threat,” a police spokesman said.

The road and the building were reopened just before noon.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”

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