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Fake bomb forces evacuation of Vidor shopping center for an hour before all-clear given

Agents from the ATF responded and after investigating determined that the package was a "simulated package" or something made to look like a bomb according to Police.

VIDOR — The Crossroads Shopping Center was evacuated for about an hour due to what police after police were called to investigate a suspicious package.

Police were called out at a bout 3:45 p.m. to investigate what was initially believed to be an explosive device according to Vidor Police Chief Rod Carroll.

Agents from the ATF responded and after investigating determined that the package was a "simulated package" or something made to look like a bomb according to Carroll.

"It's a simulated device. it was made to look like an explosive device in which drew our attention," Chief Carroll said.

Once the device was determined to be safe employees and shoppers were allowed to return to the center.

The fake device was placed near a trashcan and a some propane tanks.

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A store employee at the center told 12News that police entered the store and told everyone they had 60 seconds to exit the store.

"There's pizzas back there burning right now. People are still clocked in, people need to clock in, it's not a good day," Joseph Talcott a Little Ceasars Employee told 12news.

The employee also noted that most of the police activity seemed to be near a check cashing store.

The shopping center is located on the North side of Interstate 10 at Main Street.

This is an ongoing investigation.

"We're going to be lifting some prints off of the tape if we're able to and the investigation is going to be ongoing," Chief Carroll.

From Vidor Police...

On Wednesday, July 18, 2018, at approximately 3:51 PM the Vidor Police Department was contacted in reference to a suspicious package that had been located in the 800 block of N. Main in the Crossroads Shopping Center. Responding officers located the device and verified that it was a possible explosive device. At this time, Orange County ESD #1 and the Bureau Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Office was contacted. They were requested to respond to the location. The shopping center was evacuated as a precaution.

Arriving agents were able to examine the device and determine that it was an inert device. Everyone was allowed back into the shopping center upon the device being rendered safe. The Vidor Police Department would like to thank everyone for their cooperation during this time period. The investigation is on-going.

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