Suspicious letter locks down Rockledge PD

ROCKLEDGE, Fla. — A suspicious letter that sent the Rockledge Police Department into lockdown Wednesday turned out to be a false alarm.

A homeowner noticed a gray, powdery substance on his mail, so he brought it to police.

Officers promptly quarantined the lobby for two hours.

Members of a Brevard County hazardous material crew tested the suspicious mail, dressed head-to-toe in protective gear as they sifted through the envelopes.

As an added precaution, the Brevard County Sheriff's Office bomb squad was called in to assist.

"We got all the agencies to help us quarantine the area until we could find out what the substance was," said Lt. Donna Seyferth with the Rockledge Police Department.

The substance turned out to be the equivalent of a muscle relaxant.

Rockledge police said they don't know how it got on a resident's mail, but they don't believe there was anything sinister about it.

"We don't have any evidence, or any reason to believe at this time that there is anything heinous or malicious going on," Seyferth said.

Seyferth also said additional officers were called in to patrol while officers were busy securing the police station from outside traffic, ensuring public safety wasn't compromised on the street.

Police said they simply couldn't afford to take any unnecessary chances.

WFTV