Scene cleared after suspicious device prompts evacuation

By Becky Bosshart, Mary Manning

Published Friday, March 13, 2009 | 11:43 a.m.

Updated Friday, March 13, 2009 | 1:11 p.m.

Metro Police investigated a suspicious device found late this morning near Barbara Lane and St. Rose Parkway in the south valley, but the scene was cleared and returned to normal about two hours later.

The item was determined not to be a threat, police said.

"They moved me down the street and told me not to come over in this area," said John-Lee Davis, an 11-year-old who was home from school when police knocked on his door. He said he was evacuated to Bella Matese Avenue with 10 other area residents for about an hour. His mother, Nicole Murphy, said she came from work to pick him up at about 12:15 p.m.

Five homes were evacuated nearby after the package was reported near a residence, police said.

Metro Police officer Jacinto Rivera said a citizen reported the suspicious item at 10:25 a.m. in the 200 block of Del Cira Avenue. First responders were on the scene within 10 minutes.

The immediate area was closed down by police, but no major streets were affected.

An apartment building had been evacuated in the area as police investigated the device.