Suspected bomb was just a fake

Published 12:00 am Saturday, May 8, 2004

Suffolk News-Herald

Six Holland Road businesses were evacuated after a fake bomb was discovered behind Days Inn late Friday.

Police and fire units were called out to the motel around 6 p.m. after its owner spotted what appeared to be a bomb behind the building, said Capt. Jim T. Judkins, spokesman for the Suffolk Fire Department. The Virginia State Police’s bomb squad also responded to the scene.

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&uot;It turned out to be a fake device with a timer,&uot; said Judkins. &uot;To the untrained eye, it looked just like a bomb.&uot;

Police blocked off the area surrounding the motel, effecting closing Food Lion and the other businesses in Holland Shopping Center, Days Inn and Arby’s for nearly an hour.

The area was reopened around 7 p.m.

Authorities do not have any suspects, Judkins said. The individuals responsible for the incident could be charged with a Class 5 felony.