Albuquerque: Suspicious Package Leads to Lockdown in Downtown Mall

Albuquerque: Suspicious Package Leads to Lockdown in Downtown MallAlbuquerque: Suspicious Package Leads to Lockdown in Downtown Mall ALBUQUERQUE, NM – A suspicious package discovered in the downtown mall area prompted a lockdown and an investigation by law enforcement on Tuesday afternoon. At approximately 3:45 PM, a security guard at the Hotel Andaluz reported a suspicious package left unattended near the mall entrance on Central Avenue. The package was described as a brown paper bag with wires protruding from it. The Albuquerque Police Department and the FBI responded to the scene. The downtown mall was immediately cordoned off and shoppers and employees were evacuated. The bomb squad was called in to examine the package. After several hours of investigation, the package was determined to be non-hazardous. The lockdown was lifted around 7:30 PM, and the downtown mall was reopened. “We take all suspicious packages seriously,” said Albuquerque Police spokesman Gilbert Gallegos. “We appreciate the vigilance of our security guards and the cooperation of the public during this incident.” The FBI is continuing to investigate the origin and contents of the suspicious package. The incident caused significant disruptions in the downtown area. Traffic was diverted and businesses were forced to close. “We are relieved that the package turned out to be harmless,” said Downtown Action Team Executive Director Christina Perea. “We want to thank the law enforcement officers and the FBI for their quick response and professional handling of the situation.”