Ticking package that caused evacuation of government building was box of clocks

A suspicious ticking box that prompted the shutdown of a Los Angeles County building across the street from the Hall of Justice on Friday was discovered to be a box of clocks and other presents for retirees.

The package was left unattended on the third floor of the Hall of Administration building, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. An employee found the package addressed to someone in her office and placed it on a desk.



After hearing beeping coming from the package, she notified deputies and security inside the building. Five K-9 units with explosives-detecting dogs and the LASD Arson Explosives Detail responded to the scene.

The second, third and fourth floors were evacuated until investigators were able to assess the danger. An X-ray photo revealved the box's contents: retirement award pens, pencils, watches and clocks.