Bomb Squad Called To Royal Farms In Hickory

BEL AIR, MD — The bomb squad was called to the Hickory area Wednesday night due to a suspicious package at a convenience store, officials said.

A customer notified authorities at 7:04 p.m. there was a suspicious package on a trash can at the Royal Farms off US 1 at MD 543, according to the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

The store and parking lot were temporarily evacuated, officials reported.

A bomb squad robot arrived at the establishment in the 2200 block of Jack Lane, and traffic was held temporarily in the area while the device was deployed, authorities said. Maryland State Police assisted with the response.

Upon investigation, the fire marshal reported that the robot revealed the item in question — a box that said "Elf on the Shelf" on its top — contained empty packaging materials.

Photo courtesy of the Office of the State Fire Marshal.