Source: Suspicious Items That Prompted Hotel Evacuation Not Dangerous
DENVER (CBS4)- The evacuation of the Hyatt Regency Convention Center Hotel over the weekend was prompted by a suspicious device that turned out not to be dangerous.
According to one of CBS4 Investigator Rick Sallinger's sources, the suspicious item found inside a truck late Friday night was found not to be dangerous.
A witness apparently spotted a pickup truck with items inside that appeared suspicious.
Federal and local law enforcement agencies responded to the hotel at 14th and Welton late Friday night. Out of an abundance of caution the hotel was evacuated around 2:30 a.m. Saturday and guests were escorted to the Ellie Caulkins Opera House to wait.
A bomb squad responded and police in Denver said a "disrupter-type" device was used on the vehicle which created a loud boom.
It was later determined the item in question was harmless. Those who were inside the truck were questioned and released.
The area was cleared around 5 a.m. with guests being allowed back inside their rooms.
CBS4's Rick Sallinger is a Peabody award winning reporter who has been with the station more than two decades doing hard news and investigative reporting. Follow him on Twitter @ricksallinger.