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White powder raises scare in Apache Junction
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CONTAMINATION: An unidentified man, on his knee, begins to take off his clothes as a Mesa fireman collects his belongings in a biohazard bag. The man was then blocked from view with a tarp and decontaminated, he was hosed down.
Julio Jimenez, Tribune
An intersection and two businesses were closed Friday afternoon in Apache Junction while officials investigated a suspicious white powder that was spilled from a roll of pennies, authorities say.
Police Capt. Tom Kelly said an employee of Laguna Cafe opened a new roll of coins inside the restaurant that unleashed a mysterious white powder. The employee brought the coins across the street to Bank of America, 3160 W. Apache Trail, at 4:30 p.m. hoping to exchange the pennies for a new roll.
Kelly said the person later complained of a burning sensation caused by the powder. He did not release the identity of the employee.
Lindsey Smith, a spokeswoman for the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, said the department was assisting a hazardous material team in the area while Rural/Metro Fire Department was helping to decontaminate the scene.
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