Crime & Safety

Door Stopper Mistaken for Possible Explosive Device

A duct-tapped package being used as a door stop put police on alert Sunday night when responding to an alarm and a broken window at an area business.

A suspicious package the size of a large phone book comprised of two smaller packages wrapped in duct tape located during while officers investigated an alarm and broken window at Action Power Sports prompted a response from the Milwaukee Bomb Squad late Sunday night.

Officers were at 202 Travis Lane for a report of an alarm at 11:20 p.m. and the officers observed a broken window at the business. Police called for the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department’s K-9 Unit to assist in the clearing of the business.

As police walked up to the business to clear the building, officers noticed the duct-tapped package pack.

Find out what's happening in Waukeshafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

“Given all the facts of this incident, it was feared that the package was an improvised explosive device,” said Capt.  Ron Oremus in a news release.

The Milwaukee Bomb Squad was called to detonate the package but the keyhold from Action Power Sports arrived and described the item as the businesses door stop. The Milwaukee Bomb Squad sent its robot to confirm the package was the door stop.

Find out what's happening in Waukeshafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

After it was confirmed the package was not a bomb, police entered and cleared the building. It is not believed anything was taken from the business but the investigation is ongoing.

The Waukesha Police Department’s armored car and Waukesha County Regional Bear Cat (armored vehicle) also responded to the scene.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.