January 18, 2020 – Saturday evening just before 8:00 p.m. a homeowner who resides across from Olon Heights Shopping Center in Centreville reported a suspicious package in her mailbox. According to Bibb County Sheriff Jody Wade, units responded with caution, and given surrounding circumstances, the bomb squad in Tuscaloosa was called in to investigate.
“The package wasn’t wrapped, shall we say, properly, and didn’t appear to have gone through the mail, but it was addressed to the homeowner’s son, from someone who she had a ‘Protection From Abuse’ order on already,” Wade said. “We know that he was in violation of the PFA and had been at her house, and he’s currently in jail on a million dollar bond.” The suspect has been in jail after being arrested earlier in the week.
In addition to Tuscaloosa Bomb Squad, the BATF and FBI were also called. However, after Tuscaloosa was able to remove and x-ray the package they determined it was not in fact a bomb, but a video game. Upon learning this, the BATF and FBI were told to stand down and did not appear on the scene.
“We aren’t sure if this was a hoax bomb meant to scare her, or actually just a gift,” Wade continued, “but we do know that he could not have sent it from jail, where he already was.”
Regardless of the results, Centreville Police and Bibb County Sheriff Deputies congregated and shut down entry to Olon Heights Shopping Center until 9:00 p.m. Saturday night. Centreville Police Chief Rodney Smith said because of the nature of the incident, they have certain protocols that must be followed. “It turned out all good and wasn’t anything,” Smith said, “but we still have to investigate and follow procedures.”
Bibb County Sheriff’s Office will be leading the investigation.
