Xbox Controller, Clothes Caused Florida Turnpike Bomb Scare

SUMTER COUNTY, FL — A Monday morning scare at a Florida Turnpike rest stop resulted in a lengthy closing when a bag that ultimately ended up containing clothing, toiletries and an Xbox controller was found abandoned on a table.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the bag was spotted around 2:20 a.m. June 5 just outside Okahumpka service plaza.

“As a precautionary measure, FHP troopers evacuated the service plaza and its parking lots” with help from the Wildwood Police Department, an email from the patrol said.

Once the plaza was safely evacuated, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office’s explosive ordinance disposal team and the Lake County Fire Department reported to the scene to check out the bag and its contents.

The plaza reopened completely around 6 a.m. after it was determined the bag contained harmless items and posed no threats, the patrol reported.

As for the clothing, controller and toiletries, they were turned over to service plaza employees to go into the lost-and-found box, the patrol noted.

Photo courtesy of the Florida Highway Patrol