Suspicious packages on Linfield campus cleared

By KATU.com Staff and News Sources Published: Dec 6, 2009 at 2:40 PM PST Last Updated: Jan 26, 2010 at 3:43 PM PST
Suspicious packages on Linfield campus cleared

McMINNVILLE, Ore. - Details are sketchy on an early morning "suspicious package" scare that shut down parts of the Linfield College campus.

The morning after a football victory that will send its team to the NCAA semi-finals, Linfield College was on lock-down as the Oregon State Police's Bomb Squad swooped in to clear at least five "suspicious packages" scattered around campus. The standard Fed Ex-style boxes were reported in various open areas around Linfield's residential campus at 5:33 a.m. Sunday.

A machine moves in to check one of at least five "suspicious packages" found around the Linfield College campus Sunday morning. McMinnville police are "continuing the investigation into of the person(s) involved and their possible motives," according to the release. They're asking anyone who knows why the packages were placed around the campus or who left them there to call McMinnville Detective Sam Elliott at (503) 435-5615.

Local police worked in conjunction with Linfield College Public Safety staff, Oregon State Police, McMinnville Public Works and the McMinnville Fire Department to secure the campus and contain each suspicious item.