Busy intersection closed after suspicious suitcase left on patrol vehicle’s hood

Authorities closed a busy intersection near downtown Modesto for about a couple of hours Monday afternoon after a man placed a black carry-on suitcase on the hood of a Stanislaus County deputy’s sport utility vehicle and ran off.

The deputy and at least two other deputies had stopped for lunch at the Tacos Vallarta food truck at 14th and D streets. As they returned to their vehicles about 1:30 p.m., they noticed the suitcase. Sgt. Anthony Bejaran, a Sheriff’s Department spokesman, said witnesses reported that a man placed the suitcase on the hood and took off running.

Bejaran said out of an abundance of caution the intersection was closed, and the Sheriff’s Department bomb squad called out. A bomb squad robot examined the package and determined it was safe to open. The suitcase was blown open about 3:30 p.m. It contained four binders with paper. The intersection reopened soon after.

“We understand we did impact some traffic here,” Bejaran said. “... But we believe it was more important to make sure the community here was safe.”

Authorities detained one bystander. Bejaran declined to comment about why the man was detained because of the investigation into the incident. During the closure, the tire store next to the taco truck was evacuated and the truck moved across the street. Bejaran said other nearby businesses — including the E.&J. Gallo Winery — and homes sheltered in place.

This story was originally published April 10, 2017 at 2:36 PM with the headline "Busy intersection closed after suspicious suitcase left on patrol vehicle’s hood."