Bomb squad investigates suspicious device in Tarpon Springs

TARPON SPRINGS (FOX 13) - Tarpon Springs police shut down parts of E. Tarpon Avenue to investigate a suspicious device found by a mail carrier. 

The USPS employee flagged down an officer to inspect the device - a football-sized package wrapped in grey duct tape with what looked like a wire protruding from one end. 

It was found on the in the north parking lot near 309 E. Tarpon Ave., adjacent to a concrete parking stop.

The police department evacuated 301, 309, 313 and 315 E. Tarpon Ave. and closed E. Tarpon Ave. between Safford Avenue and Grosse Avenue. 

The Tampa Bay Area Regional Bomb Squad was called in to investigate and, around noon, they discovered the package contained sand.

The protruding wire was fashioned into a handle to pick up and carry the object. It had apparently been made by a previous tenant of the location.