Crime & Safety
White Powder Sent to Wells Fargo Bank Branch Near Monrovia Harmless: Police
The building was closed for business for the balance of the day, as police conducted a criminal threat investigation
EL MONTE, CA -- A white powder sent along with a threatening letter to a Wells Fargo distribution center in El Monte prompted authorities to evacuate the building Tuesday, but the substance turned out to be harmless.
Firefighters and a hazardous materials team were sent to the four-story building at 3440 Flair Drive about 11:35 a.m. after an employee opened an envelope containing white powder and a threatening note claiming the substance was anthrax, the Los Angeles County Fire Department reported.
"Several employees who were exposed to the substance were isolated as a precaution... (and) participated in a decontamination process," according to El Monte police Sgt. Richard Luna.
Find out what's happening in Monroviafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
"None of the employees reported symptoms of exposure or illness. No one was transported for additional medical care."
Meanwhile, the substance was isolated, tested and deemed to be non- hazardous, Luna said.
Find out what's happening in Monroviafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
By about 2:45 p.m., people who had been evacuated were allowed to go back into the building, according to county fire department Inspector Richard Licon.
"The source of the letter has not been identified," Luna said.
The substance has been retained by the county Department of Public Health for additional testing and identification, he said.
``The investigation is ongoing and is being coordinated by the El Monte Police Investigations Bureau, Luna said.
-- City News Service, photo via Google Maps