The bomb squad was called to Kaiser Permanente in Longview, causing a lockdown Thursday evening, Oct. 2, after a suspect left a suitcase outside the Seventh Avenue building, saying it contained a bomb.
Vern S. Eby, 71, of Kelso, was booked into the Cowlitz County Jail on suspicion of felony harassment, felony threats to bomb or injure and interference with a healthcare facility.
Longview Police Chief Robert Huhta said the suspect told people he had a bomb and questioned if he could bring it inside.
The man came to Kaiser from a different business, Huhta added, but did not say which one.
A statement by Longview police says at about 4 p.m. a business near 14th Avenue and Hudson Street told police a person had entered and made threats about having a bomb.
Officers responded to the area and located the suspect walking through the Kaiser parking lot on Seventh Avenue toward the entrance while carrying a large package.
The bomb squad was called to the scene and determined that the package contained no explosive devices.
Huhta said police seized a suspicious item — a suitcase — located on the sidewalk of the Kaiser Permanente parking lot.
Huhta said the initial call was received at about 3:41 p.m., and the suspect was arrested soon after.
Police vehicles were blocking traffic on Hudson Street between Seventh Avenue and Third Avenue at around 5:50 p.m.
The Longview Police Department posted on their Facebook page at 4:47 p.m. that Kaiser Permanente was on lockdown and not admitting patients. The facility reopened as of about 6:30 p.m.
