Unattended Lunchbox Sparks Georgian Court College Library Evacuation: Authorities

LAKEWOOD, NJ — A lunchbox left unattended on a table that sparked the evacuation of the library at Georgian Court College on Thursday has prompted a reminder from authorities: keep track of your belongings.

The incident happened shortly before 8:30 p.m. at the college in Lakewood, said Al Della Fave, spokesman for the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office.

Lakewood Patrol Officer Vito Renna, who responded to the call from the college about a suspicious package, found a silver lunchbox on a table at the rear of the library, Della Fave said. Arson Detective John Doran of the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office, who also responded, learned a librarian found the lunchbox on a table and called authorities.

The building was immediately evacuated and secured, and Officer Christine Casullo of the Ocean County Sheriff's Office and her K-9 partner Bear responded, clearing the library and the silver lunchbox with negative findings of any explosive material, Della Fave said.

Upon closer examination, it was discovered the lunchbox contained frozen ice packs and two Tupperware containers, Della Fave said.

"It's so very important that if you see something, you say something," Della Fave said, reiterating the mantra law enforcement has had for years since the Sept. 11 attacks. It was the report of an unattended backpack at the Seaside Semper Five 5K that delayed the start of the race and resulted in preventing injuries to spectators and runners when a pipe bomb exploded in a garbage can in Seaside Park last Saturday, according to the FBI.

"But it's just as important to not leave bags, packages or containers that can be perceived as a danger unattended," Della Fave said. "As you can see, it can expend valuable police resources and inconvenience many people unnecessarily."

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