OC Sheriff’s Office responds to Suspicious Package

The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office, along with our public service partners from the Seneca Fire Department and the Anderson County Bomb Squad, responded to a report of a suspicious package at the Keowee Village Shopping Center near Seneca last week. Dispatchers from the E-911 Communications Center received word of a black backpack left unoccupied in the grass near the stop sign at the old location of the Goodwill store. Deputies from the Uniform Patrol Division located the backpack that had a tan pack attached to it with writing on it. Deputies also believed that a cell phone was inside the backpack due to hearing of music and someone saying “Hello” coming from the backpack. The Seneca Fire Department blocked off the nearest entrance into the shopping center from North Radio Station Road that was the closest to the backpack’s location and placed some barricades near the top of the parking lot at Lowe’s. As the investigation continued, a white male spoke with deputies and an officer from the Anderson County Bomb Squad on scene. The Bomb Squad member and the male went to where the backpack was located. After properly identifying the backpack, it was determined that the backpack belonged to the male and he took possession of it. The male told deputies that he was walking to another location and did not want to carry the backpack with him so he left it at that location to mark his spot there. After this, units began to clear up from the scene. “We encourage our citizens that if they see something suspicious, whether it is an unoccupied backpack or package that appears to be left unattended, or a suspicious person or vehicle to contact the Sheriff’s Office or the local law enforcement agency in their jurisdiction,” says Oconee County Sheriff Mike Crenshaw. “Do not approach or touch any package or backpack left unattended. Call and have officers respond to the scene to evaluate the situation and we will make a determination on the resources needed to safely remove and dispose of the item should conditions warrant. The safety of our citizens and our law enforcement officers and public safety officials are of the upmost importance and we will take the necessary precautions to keep everyone safe. On behalf of the Sheriff’s Office, we are thankful for our partners with the Anderson County Bomb Squad and the Seneca Fire Department for working with us to bring this situation to a good conclusion.”