ST. PETERSBURG, Fla — St Petersburg Police (SPPD) said they arrested a woman who allegedly left a suspicious package at police headquarters.
Police said an employee noticed a suspicious vehicle parked in the police department's loading dock on 1st Avenue around 2:25 p.m. An officer searched the area and found a suspicious suitcase in the parking lot under a forensics unit van.
The parking garage was blocked off and businesses in the area were evacuated. SPPD said they called Tampa's Bomb Squad to investigate.
SPPD said security video showed a woman later identified as Rebekkah Westermeyer, 26, drive up in a vehicle and pull out a large suitcase. The woman then allegedly walked around a wall, under a security barrier and into a restricted area with the suitcase.
About thirty minutes later, SPPD said officers were called to 249 4th Avenue North for a person who was allegedly shot. When officers arrived, they found a woman, matching Westermeyer's description, barricaded inside the apartment.
SPPD said the SWAT team was able to take Westermeyer into custody and charged her with Abuse of 911 and manufacture, possion or threaten use of a hoax weapon.
State and local officials say Maximo Sanchez violated environmental regulations for years, operating two unpermitted dumps despite warnings from state and local officials to clean it up.
