Rolla Businesses Evacuated After Discovery of Suspicious Device

ROLLA, Mo. -- A suspicious device located inside a vehicle in Rolla causes an evacuation of nearby businesses.

Just before 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, police were called to a report of suspicious activity inside a former Quiznos restaurant at 201 S. Highway 63, Suite B.

That's where officers say they found four people under the age of 21, and a vehicle parked outside with alcoholic beverages inside.

Also inside the vehicle, officers discovered a plastic pipe that contained what appeared to be gun powder. A perimeter was established and area businesses were evacuated for safety purposes.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol's Bomb Squad out of Jefferson City was then called in to examine and dispose of the device.

The bomb squad later determined the device did not contain a detonating device or fuse, and it was disassembled without incident.

The four people detained were questioned and later released pending further investigation.

The incident is still under investigation by the Rolla Police Department's Division of Criminal Investigations Unit and the Missouri State Highway Patrol's Bomb Squad.

Other agencies assisting in this investigation were the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Missouri State Highway Patrol's Bomb Squad, and the City of Rolla Fire Department.