A bomb-disposal robot was used to check a suspicious package left outside Cabinet Minister Geoff Brock’s office in Ellen Centre at Port Pirie, South Australia, on Saturday night.
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An X-ray was taken using the bomb squad’s equipment, vapours were tested and the package punctured for samples – and the result was that it was non-volatile.
The shopping centre car park was in lockdown after the package, suspected to be bomb, was left outside the office of the popular Independent Member for Frome who has previously had death threats.
Detectives are investigating because of the nature of the incident.
Local businessman Suresh Kumar, who runs a curry shop nearby, said the incident was “scary”.
He said shopkeepers had lost trade and the car park had been closed.
“In a small town, you get very scared,” he said.
“Everyone in Port Pirie is nice and friendly and everyone knows each other and you get something like this.”
Senior Constable Peter O’Neill, who was in charge of the scene, said the bomb squad, attached to the STAR Force, had looked at the package with two robots, one large and one small.
He said Port Pirie CIB detectives had been at the site and crime scene investigators would be involved.
“We will see whether we can determine the origin of who may have had it,” he said of the package.
There may be security camera footage of the offenders.
Police sealed the entrance to the Ellen Centre shopping centre about 2.45pm after the alarm was raised by a lad passing by Mr Brock’s office.
On the footpath outside Mr Brock’s office were two two-litre milk cartons that were taped together and contained an unknown substance
The area was cordoned off with security tape and police officers directed shoppers away from the rear entrance of a supermarket.
The bomb squad arrived from Adelaide to check the scene about 6.30pm.
Yorke Mid North Local Service Area officer-in-charge Superintendent Scott Denny arrived at the scene about 4.30pm with Mr Brock.
As they left about 20 minutes later, Superintendent Denny said there was “nothing political” about the incident.
“This is something that has been dropped on the footpath. There are no specific threats,” he said.
“There is something there that doesn’t look right to us. For public safety reasons, we have shut the car park.
“Out of courtesy, we have contacted Mr Brock.”
Earlier, Mr Brock was working in the electorate office. He has previously been targeted with phone threats.
Earlier this month, two explosions in Port Pirie led police to seek information from the public.
On the night of July 18, officers were called to Collingwood Street in Risdon Park after residents were alerted by a loud explosion.
Upon arrival police found what they believed to be a plastic bottle which had been filled with a volatile liquid, possibly chlorine, before exploding.
Next morning, police were called after a similar explosion in Florence Street. Police believe the incidents were not targeted attacks.
Superintendent Denny said at the time that the explosions were extremely concerning and described the behaviour as “foolish and dangerous”.
He said that the nature of the liquid was of particular concern.
“Not only is there a serious risk of it seriously injuring or killing someone, it is dangerous because it could set fire to things as well,” he said.
He asked anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or the Port Pirie Police Station.
