FAYETTEVILLE — A rash of suspicious powder incidents happened in three locations Monday and Tuesday, but none of the substances were deemed toxic, authorities said.
The first report came from the Postal Service Processing and Distribution Facility, 2300 S. City Lake Road in Fayetteville.
Emergency crews, including a regional hazardous material team from Bentonville, were called to investigate a suspicious powder in a mail sorting machine about 7 p.m. Monday. A sample was tested while building occupants were quarantined.
“The machine has a detection system that identifies biohazards or chemicals,” said Mauro Campos, Fayetteville battalion chief. “When the machine got a hold of that envelope, some white powder came out, but the machine didn’t detect anything. It has a 30- to 40-minute lag time.”
By about 9:30 p.m., Campos said the substance had been identified as baking soda.
Campos said he didn’t know who the letter was addressed to or where it came from. He said the Postal Service will conduct its own investigation to determine if anyone will be arrested.
A message left for Leisa Tolliver-Gay, customer relations representative for the Postal Service in Arkansas, wasn’t returned Tuesday.
A similar report of white powder came from the Springdale Bank of America branch, 3144 W. Sunset Ave., on Tuesday morning.
A teller found a light dusting of powder on rolls of coins deposited at the Springdale bank, said Capt. Richard Farris.
The teller called police at 10:40 a.m., while the person making the deposit remained at the bank.
The powder was tested and found to be dust from sanding drywall, Farris said.
One hour earlier on Tuesday, an Arvest Bank branch in Siloam Springs received a letter with white powder in it.
An employee opened the letter containing the powder about 9:30 a.m.
The bank, at Holly Street and U.S. 412, closed and customers were allowed to leave, said Fire Chief Greg Neely.
AT A GLANCE
Powder Incidents
Recent reports of a suspicious powder:
• 7 p.m. Monday: U.S. Postal Service Processing and Distribution Facility, 2300 S. City Lake Road, Fayetteville
• 9:30 a.m. Tuesday: Arvest Bank, 1645 U.S. 412 West, Siloam Springs
• 10:40 a.m. Tuesday: Bank of America, 3144 W. Sunset Ave., Springdale
Source: Staff Report
A hazardous material crew in protective gear retrieved the letter and substance for examination, Neely said.
The substance was determined to be laundry detergent, he said. The bank opened again about 11 a.m.
Lt. Monty Balk of Siloam Springs Police Department said the investigation has been turned over to the FBI.
“It was just a hoax,” said Lisa Ray, president and CEO of Arvest Bank in Siloam Springs. The letter was “nonthreatening,” she said.
On Oct. 12, DaySpring in Siloam Springs received several suspicious letters, one of which was opened. It contained white powder. Employees evacuated the building, except those who were near the letter when it was opened. They were quarantined in the building along Arkansas 16 south of town.
The powder was determined to be nontoxic.
Campos said it’s not uncommon to have multiple reports involving suspicious powders.
“I think people see it in the paper and they get an idea to copy it,” he said. “It’s not something we take for granted.”
Jeff Della Rosa and Steve Caraway contributed to this report.