All Clear Given After WPB Federal Courthouse Evacuated
WEST PALM BEACH (CBS4) – The all clear has been given at the West Palm Beach federal courthouse which was evacuated Monday morning due to a suspicious vehicle.
According to CBS affiliate WPEC, a U-Haul truck had been parked across the street from the courthouse for two to three days.
The building was evacuated when a bomb sniffing dog indicated there may be something of concern inside the abandoned van, according to West Palm Beach police spokesman Chase Scott. A post office and a state health department building were also evacuated.
There was also a suspicious message on the side of the van. It read, "Google Edgar Bushey. Frank Baker PBSO lied and did no investigation."
According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement web site, Edgar Bushey is listed as a registered sexual predator in Palm Beach County which stemmed from a child molestation case in 1994. The FDLE identifies Bushey as a transient living in Boynton Beach.
Bushey has apparently created his own website professing his innocence. Bushey's whereabouts are unknown at this time.
As for the suspicious truck, nothing sinister was found and employees of the federal courthouse and surrounding buildings were allowed back inside just before 10:00 a.m.
Authorities have been on heightened alert nationwide for potential terrorist activity coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.