Hazmat Team Called for Suspicious Package at Joliet Home

JOLIET, IL — A hazmat team was called out to a home at around 6:15 p.m. Wednesday for a report of a suspicious package.

According to Joliet Police Deputy Chief Ed Gregory, a 45-year-old man received a package in the mail at his 3400-block Legacy Drive home. When he opened it, he found a white envelope from England with no return address.

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Inside the envelope was a clear plastic bag containing a gray or white substance, according to Gregory.

The man then re-taped the package, took it to his front porch and called 911. Police contacted the fire department who in turn contacted the hazmat team. The FBI also is involved because of the package being delivered through the mail.

“The fire department secured the package and maintained possession of (it) and they are awaiting further instructions from the FBI,” Gregory said.

FBI Media Coordinator Garrett Croon said the FBI has spoken with the Joliet Fire Department, but will have no further participation in the matter.

Joliet Deputy Fire Chief Ray Randich said none of the tests identified the substance as being hazardous, which includes any possibility that it may have been drugs. Randich confirmed the substance was a powder.

Randich said contact was made with the FBI to see if it wanted to handle it, which it will not. The substance will most likely be disposed of.