News
Ticking package forces post office closure
Thelma Grimes/San Pedro Valley News-Sun
Police closed off the Benson Post Office for several hours Monday because a package was ticking.
Benson Police Chief Paul Moncada said around 10:47 a.m. they were notified by the Postmaster out of Tucson that there was a suspect package at Benson Post Office on Ocotillo Avenue.
Moncada said after postal employees in Benson heard the ticking they notified the postmaster, who then contacted authorities.
Following procedure, city crews closed off Ocotillo Avenue in front of the Post Office while bomb technicians were called in to clear the scene.
Moncada said it took longer than expected because the bomb tech with the Cochise County Sheriff's Officet did not have the proper equipment to handle the package.
With Benson police and firefighters standing by, the post office remained closed while they waited for the postmaster to bring an x-ray machine and the Arizona Department of Public Safety bomb technician to arrive from Tucson.
Moncada said they tried to x-ray the package, but the equipment didn't work correctly, so the bomb technician shot at the package to disarm it, or destroy it. As the package was shot, Benson firefighters stood by with a hose ready for backup in case it did ignite.
Moncada said the package turned out to be a wall clock that had been sent from Clifton.
The Clifton resident who sent the package was expected to be questioned Tuesday.
Moncada said residents who send a clock or any kind of device that might be ticking should always remember to remove batteries.
In this case, Moncada said the postal clerk in Clifton should never have accepted the package.
While crews worked to clear the scene, city workers helped keep the street clear while having to deal with angry residents unhappy that they could not access the post office.
Benson Fire Chief Keith Spangler said while it may have been an inconvenience for residents, the precautions are important for public safety. If the package had turned out to be an explosive device, a lot of people could have been hurt, he said.
Police closed off the Benson Post Office for several hours Monday because a package was ticking.
Benson Police Chief Paul Moncada said around 10:47 a.m. they were notified by the Postmaster out of Tucson that there was a suspect package at Benson Post Office on Ocotillo Avenue.
Moncada said after postal employees in Benson heard the ticking they notified the postmaster, who then contacted authorities.
Following procedure, city crews closed off Ocotillo Avenue in front of the Post Office while bomb technicians were called in to clear the scene.
Moncada said it took longer than expected because the bomb tech with the Cochise County Sheriff's Officet did not have the proper equipment to handle the package.
With Benson police and firefighters standing by, the post office remained closed while they waited for the postmaster to bring an x-ray machine and the Arizona Department of Public Safety bomb technician to arrive from Tucson.
Moncada said they tried to x-ray the package, but the equipment didn't work correctly, so the bomb technician shot at the package to disarm it, or destroy it. As the package was shot, Benson firefighters stood by with a hose ready for backup in case it did ignite.
Moncada said the package turned out to be a wall clock that had been sent from Clifton.
The Clifton resident who sent the package was expected to be questioned Tuesday.
Moncada said residents who send a clock or any kind of device that might be ticking should always remember to remove batteries.
In this case, Moncada said the postal clerk in Clifton should never have accepted the package.
While crews worked to clear the scene, city workers helped keep the street clear while having to deal with angry residents unhappy that they could not access the post office.
Benson Fire Chief Keith Spangler said while it may have been an inconvenience for residents, the precautions are important for public safety. If the package had turned out to be an explosive device, a lot of people could have been hurt, he said.
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