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UPDATE: Suspicious package prompted post office evacuation
A suspicious package later identified as a box of clothing prompted the evacuation of the Mountain Home Post Office around 4:20 p.m. Tuesday afternoon.
As a precaution, local law enforcement officers established a two-block cordon around the building for approximately 30 minutes until the area was declared safe.
According to sources at the scene, a customer identified a large package left in the post office lobby for approximately an hour, which initiated the evacuation.
While the box lacked a forwarding and return address, it didn't feature any additional characteristics that would raise a significant alarm, according to post office officials. However, it was large enough to require an evacuation as a precaution.
After postal employees made the initial call to county dispatchers, the box was moved to a loading dock behind the facility, according to Police Sgt. Rick Viola, a spokesman with the city police department. It's not known who moved the box or why they chose to move it.
By 5 p.m., emergency responders located the owner of the box, who confirmed it was their property. The package was then opened to verify the contents, which was limited to clothing, according to Viola.
While the incident turned out uneventful, it emphasized the importance of identifying suspicious items or activity and taking steps to alert the proper authorities, the police spokesman said.