SILOAM SPRINGS -- Bentonville Bomb Squad and Siloam Springs police investigated a suspicious package found in an elementary school parking lot.
About 3:45 p.m., police were notified by a school resource officer of a package wrapped in tape in the south parking lot of Northside Elementary School on Elgin Street. Upon their arrival, police found a clear plastic jar.
"It was wrapped in a way that made it difficult to see what was in it," said Police Chief Jim Wilmeth.
An officer placed a bullet-resistant vest around the package and moved it away from the school, Wilmeth said.
The package was placed in between the grassy area of two homes between North Elm and North Garrett streets. Both residences were evacuated, police said.
"In the interest of safety we asked the bomb squad to investigate it," Wilmeth said. "We give them the information we have and allow them to make an assessment from their training and their experience."
The Bomb Squad was sent to the scene and arrived at 5:05 p.m. A member x-rayed the package and said it wasn't a threat.
"There was nothing in the package that led us to believe it was an explosive device," Wilmeth said.
Inside the package, police found a handwritten note, but refused to say what was written on it.
Police said there are no suspects, but they are investigating.
"We still have a crime scene investigation -- leaving a package like that is still a concern for Siloam Springs," Wilmeth said.
NW News on 04/01/2015