COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Hundreds of employees were evacuated from Chase Bank corporate headquarters Tuesday on reports of a suspicious device that turned out to be a piece of time-keeping equipment.
NBC 4 reported with the FAST FACTS.
Columbus fire and police were called out to 1111 Polaris Pkwy before 10:30 a.m. Tuesday on an original report of a bomb threat, according to Columbus police.
The suspicious device was found in a conference room, according to CPD Sgt. Rich Weiner.
And although crews thought the device was a credible threat, it was a part of a speaker’s presentation -- not a suspicious device or bomb.
The device in question is used to time presentations. It is placed in front of a presenter to prompt him or her on the time allotted or remaining in the presentation, according to a Chase spokesperson.
It does have characteristics of a “suspicious device.” The time-keeping device was found in the conference room by someone unfamiliar with its purpose. Internal security was contacted and agreed it looked suspicious. Precautionary measures were taken, the spokesperson said.
It remained unknown whether the presenting speaker was a Chase employee.
Authorities evacuated the Chase Bank corporate headquarters for about two hours during the investigation. The parking lot also was evacuated for a short time to ensure employees’ safety in the case of a second device.
The exact number of people evacuated was not immediately available, but it could be estimated in the hundreds.
Evacuated employees reentered the building shortly before 12:30 p.m.
It remained unclear whether charges would be filed.
No one was injured during the incident, and
No more immediate information was available.
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