Las Vegas police investigate suspicious package at Stratosphere; streets closed
The suspicious package Las Vegas police investigated at the Stratosphere on Wednesday afternoon was a backpack containing medical supplies, police said.
The call reporting the package at the Stratosphere, 2000 Las Vegas Blvd. South, came in at 1:22 p.m. Wednesday, the Metropolitan Police Department said. The casino and the floor above, where the pool is, were evacuated of guests and staff, police said.
Metro’s CBRNE — chemical, biological, radioactive, nuclear and explosives — task force responded to the scene.
The safety of guests is our first priority. @LVMPD is investigating a suspicious package and is the best source for additional info.
— Stratosphere Hotel (@LVStratosphere) September 21, 2016
Pedestrian traffic is closed on Las Vegas Blvd. between Sahara Blvd and E. St. Louis Ave. #LVMPDnews https://t.co/RWsjhX9EJP
— LVMPD (@LVMPD) September 21, 2016
Traffic was shut down at about 1:30 p.m. near the intersection of East St. Louis Avenue and Las Vegas Boulevard South, Metro spokesman Michael Rodriguez said. It was reopened about 3 p.m.
Speaking on behalf of the CBRNE joint task force, Metro Capt. Andrew Walsh said casino staff found the suspicious package and reported it to Metro.
Walsh said the backpack was left in an area where guests drop off their bags. The medical devices inside the bag made ticking and beeping sounds, which raised suspicion.
Contact Christian Bertolaccini at cbertolaccini@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0381. Follow @bertolaccinic on Twitter.