A suspicious package tossed behind the front desk of the Adam Benjamin Jr. Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic in Crown Point prompted the evacuation of patients and staff from the building Monday afternoon.
Mark Weisenberger, executive assistant to the director of the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, said on Monday afternoon an object of an unknown matter was dropped at the Crown Point clinic and the building was evacuated as a precautionary measure.
The incident occurred about 2:15 p.m. Multiple witnesses said an individual entered the building, tossed a package over the front desk and then fled in a vehicle. Weisenberger confirmed those accounts.
While staff was evacuating patents, VA police stationed at the center contacted the Crown Point police and fire departments. The Indiana State Police, Lake County sheriff’s department and Merrillville Police Department responded to the scene.
The object was later determined to be a piece of medical equipment and was not dangerous, Weisenberger said.
“In this day and age, you can’t be too careful. Luckily it was a false alarm,” Weisenberger said. The “all clear” was given about 3:30 p.m. The center remained closed Monday and will reopen for its regular hours Tuesday.
Thomas Miller Jr., of Gary, was at the clinic for a visit with the eye doctor. Miller said he had just had his eyes dilated when the technician who administered the drops said they had to leave.
“I just followed the lady out,” he said.
Miller said he was glad everyone got out of the building and no one was hurt.
One of the clinic’s physicians, who asked to remain anonymous because he was not authorized to speak to the media, was outside while the building was being cleared. He said the incident was not surprising given current events like the Chattanooga, Tenn., shootings at U.S. military facilities.
“The problem with this kind of stuff is it will happen again (somewhere),” he said.
Carrie Napoleon is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
