False bomb alarms Bradford residents

A possible pipe bomb found in the closet of a Bradford Place  apartment Wednesday was determined to be a fake after a nearly four-hour ordeal.

Around 10:30 a.m., members of the maintenance staff at Bradford Place on South Park Ridge Road off of E. Third Street, discovered the item, which appeared to be made of PVC pipes and protruding wires.

The residents of the building were evacuated, and the Bloomington Police Department, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, the Bloomington Fire Department and the IU Police Department arrived on the scene.

After police and fire officials assessed the situation, the Emergency Ordinance Disposal Unit of the Crane Division of the Naval Surface Warfare Center was called in, Sgt. Steve Kellams of the Bloomington Police Department said.

The EDO investigated the item, sending in both a member of the disposal team and a robot, Kellams said.

Finally, officials said the item was determined not to be a real bomb, but a fake. Police are currently trying to locate those who live in the apartment.

A member of the Bradford Place office staff said they were unable to comment on the situation.