False bomb threat

MIDLAND  What was thought to be a bomb near the University of Texas of the Permian Basin's Center for Economic Diversification turned out to be a false alarm Tuesday afternoon.

Iris Foster, University of Texas of the Permian Basin public information officer, said three young people carried a package out to the mesquite grove next to the CEED building at 4 p.m. and then left the area.

Midland County Sheriff's Office, Midland Police Department's bomb squad and UTPB officers were on the scene investigating the suspicious package near FM 1788 and Highway 191.

Foster said the Midland Police Department robot, Andros, X-rayed the package that said "10 blasting caps" on the side and found several toys inside.

Foster said she thought the people were playing a game called Geocaching.

Foster said Midland Sheriff's investigators would be taking fingerprints of the box and would be looking for the individuals who left the package.

Law enforcement agencies closed off the east service road to Highway 191 and reduced northbound traffic of FM 1788 to one lane until 7:30 p.m.