ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. — The St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office (SLCSO) deployed its Bomb Disposal Team to the Treasure Coast International Airport for reports of a suspicious package and vehicle.
The sheriff's office says it all started at the old fire station building that’s now occupied by airport administration. A man allegedly stopped by to complain about low-flying airplanes.
"During his interaction with the employees in the building, he left a bag inside the building. After he finished his complaints, he had exited the building and left," said Lieutenant Andrew Bolonka.
Investigators believe the man then tried to enter the base of the air traffic control tower. Both incidents sparked concern from airport employees, who called 911.
The sheriff’s office called bomb squad to the scene to search the bag and the man’s car. The team did not find any explosives or hazardous materials in the bag or the suspect’s car.
The man is in custody for a mental health evaluation. We are still waiting to learn whether he will be charged.
"These are not things that somebody should just be doing on a normal, and if you are doing it and it’s accidental it’s understandable, but in today’s day and age we have to take everything seriously. So if you see something, say something,” said Bolonka.
Residents nearby say police presence at the airport always raises red flags.
"If there was a bag involved that maybe there was something inside, like maybe some act of terrorism, it’s pretty scary to be honest," said aviation student Alassandro Genco.
