Package with white powder found at Riverside County sheriff's building

ByABC7.com staff KABC logo
Tuesday, August 29, 2017
Riverside sheriff's building evacuated over suspicious package
The powder was eventually determined to be unbleached cooking flour by a hazmat team, and a criminal investigation is underway.

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KABC) -- A Riverside County Sheriff's Department administration building was evacuated and seven people were decontaminated after a package containing a letter and white powder-like substance was found inside on Monday.

The powder was eventually determined to be unbleached cooking flour by a hazmat team, and a criminal investigation is underway.

Riverside firefighters responded to the building, located in the 4000 block of Lemon Street, shortly before 9 a.m. for a hazmat involving an unknown substance, according to Bruce Vanderhorst of the City of Riverside Fire Department.

Sheriff's officials said a package with a suspicious letter and "white powder" was discovered on the fourth floor administration office.

The building was evacuated and seven personnel were decontaminated and transported to a nearby hospital as a precaution, officials said.