Not a bomb

A small white suitcase drew a big response Wednesday from authorities.

The slightly battered suitcase, found in the parking lot of Caltrans District 3 headquarters at Eighth and Walnut streets in Marysville, was treated as a potential bomb by the California Highway Patrol, which called in the Beale Air Force Base bomb squad.

Caltrans spokesman Mark Dinger said one of the agency's employees noticed the suitcase early in the morning, as did an employee of the nearby Eagle's Nest restaurant.

After another Caltrans employee noticed a suspicious person in the same area, the CHP was called as a precaution, said Dinger.

A two-block area around the suitcase was sealed off with police tape.

The Beale bomb squad truck arrived about 11:15 a.m. with its remote-controlled robot, which placed an X-ray unit next to the suitcase.

While bomb-scare stories often end with the suspicious package containing something harmless - someone's lunch, perhaps - the X-ray image showed the little white suitcase contained nothing at all.

The incident ended at noon with no disruption to traffic on nearby B Street.

If you do see a suspicious briefcase, suitcase, letter or package, you should: