Police, Bomb Squad Investigate Suspicious Package on Middlefield Road

On Sunday at about 8:52 a.m., Palo Alto police officers responded to a report of a suspicious item in the roadway on the 1300 block of Middlefield Road that looked similar to a pipe bomb.

The item had a cellphone strapped to a cylindrical bottle, with several different wires sticking off of it. Officers conducted an initial evaluation of the item and determined it was necessary to contact the Santa Clara County Bomb Squad.

Because of the potential hazard associated with any type of explosive device, Palo Alto police contacted people in the area, either personally or by phone. Officers evacuated areas nearest to the suspicious item, while others were told to stay indoors and away from windows. Homes and businesses not in the affected area were not notified, as they were determined to be in no danger.

Both vehicle and pedestrian traffic on North and South Middlefield roads from Kinglsey Avenue to Embarcadero Road was shut down for approximately 4.5 hours. Valley Transportation Authority bus service was re-routed; however, the new route did not affect service.

The Santa Clara County Bomb Squad evaluated the device and deemed it suspicious. Further investigation revealed the device was inert. For safety reasons, they destroyed the device at approximately 1 pm. Traffic was opened shortly afterward.

Palo Alto police are attempting to find whoever is responsible for the device. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the police at 650-329-2413. Reports can also be made anonymously at paloalto@tipnow.org.