Lockdown at downtown Modesto jail lifted after contents of backpack deemed safe

The Stanislaus County Jail was placed on lockdown Wednesday afternoon after a report of a suspicious backpack found in an employee lobby of the downtown Modesto facility.

About 90 minutes later, the lockdown was lifted after the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department Bomb Squad X-rayed the backpack and found that it contained just personal items.

The incident at the employee entrance on 12th Street began just after 2 p.m. The employee entrance is unlocked during business hours, but opens to a lobby. The lockdown was lifted around 3:30 p.m. and 12th street, which was closed to traffic between H and I streets, was reopened.

Deputies found an ID in the backpack and were attempting to locate the owner Wednesday afternoon.

This story was originally published January 11, 2017 at 3:28 PM with the headline "Lockdown at downtown Modesto jail lifted after contents of backpack deemed safe."