JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Baymeadows Islamic Center, a Denny's Restaurant and part of a La Quinta Inn were evacuated for hours Friday afternoon while a police robot and bomb squad technicians examined what was considered a suspicious suitcase.
"It is between a hotel and Islamic building, so that raises a little concern for us," JSO Officer Christian Hancock said early in the three-hour investigation into the suitcase.
The center is at 8225 Dix Ellis Trail in Jacksonville, and the intersection of Freedom Commerce Parkway at Baymeadows Road nearby is closed because of the incident. Roads in the area were closed from about 2 p.m. until late afternoon
For much of the afternoon, a police robot was used to investigate the suitcase, then a bomb squad technician approached and opened the suitcase. A second another officer came up and searched the bag.
Just after 5 p.m., Hancock said only personal effects were found in the suitcase and that it was "rendered safe."
News4Jax reporter Francesca Amiker was told by someone in the area that the suitcase had been in that spot for three days.