Suspicious package near courthouse turned out to be suitcase filled with scrap metal

A suspicious package near the Wyandotte County Courthouse this morning turned out to be a suitcase that was filled with scrap metal and wires, according to a spokesman for the Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Department.

The courthouse was evacuated this morning after the suitcase was found lodged between a tree and the courthouse building, the spokesman said.

About 120 people were evacuated from the courthouse around 10:30 a.m. Monday, according to the spokesman. It was cleared around 2:15 p.m. by the Kansas City, Kan., Police bomb squad, and everyone was allowed to return to the courthouse.

The spokesman said the suitcase contained several crushed aluminum cans, chicken wire, scrap metal and wires.

It appeared the suitcase was left by someone who was collecting scrap metal and tried to stash it for safekeeping, the spokesman said.