Go Back

 

Suspicious Package Results In Downtown Eustis Evacuation

    Parts of downtown Eustis were evacuated for several hours on Friday, December 17, while responding emergency units worked to evaluate and eventually remove a suspicious package found near the Bay Pharmacy at 2 East Magnolia Street.  The package was eventually found to be nothing more than an empty box.
    The incident began around 7 a.m., when an employee at Bay Pharmacy arrived to work around 7 a.m. and noticed the package tied to a garbage can near the front of the business.  She took a short video of the box, and forwarded it to pharmacy owner George Warren. The package, brown with red ribbon, had the words "Lil E Birth Day Present" written on it.
    “He said to call the cops, so I did,” recounted Kristi Lake this week. 
    Officers arrived, and shortly thereafter initiated the evacuation, which included residents of area apartments and employees of businesses.  Southbound Bay Street and Magnolia Avenue were closed.
    The Lake County Sheriff’s Office responded with its bomb squad and conducted an investigation of the box.
    An estimated three hours passed before the area was deemed to be safe.
    “We had to stay in the back parking lot, behind the pharmacy,” Lake said.  “It was nearly 10:30 a.m. before we could go inside.”
    The box was found to be sealed, but empty.  It was tied to the garbage can with ribbon.  Lake said there were unconfirmed reports the package may have been a leftover from a Bay Street Players production.  It was unknown how it may have gotten from the theatre across the street to the garbage can.