SEBASTIAN — No injuries were reported after the Brevard County Sheriff’s Bomb Squad Unit removed a device initially thought to be a pipe bomb Tuesday evening from an area in Sebastian, officials said. Law enforcement officers said the item – a plastic PVC pipe wrapped in tape – was a geocaching container, an item used in the popular, outdoor treasure hunting game.
“It was harmless,” said Tod Goodyear, a spokesperson for the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office.
Sebastian police responded to reports of a suspicious package about 4:12 p.m. near the beginning of the North Sebastian Conservation Area trail, near Main Street and Powerline Road. The area is west of U.S. 1 and not far from the USPS post office.
“It was out in the open by the sign,” said Tim Wood, deputy chief with the Sebastian Police Department. “We observed the device, saw it could potentially be an explosive and called the (bomb technicians).
Police requested assistance from the Brevard County Sheriff’s Bomb Squad Unit. Bomb squad technicians determined the item was not an incendiary or explosive device, Goodyear said.
Law enforcement officers briefly blocked the roadways. The roadways have since reopened.
Deputies cleared the area shortly before 7 p.m.
“If you see a suspicious device, do not touch it,” Wood said. “Call the police non-emergency number.”
No further information was immediately available.
