Suspicious Package Forces Closure at Cabazon Outlet Mall While Bomb Squad Investigates
Trevor Montgomery
At almost the exact same time as law enforcement officers from multiple agencies and multiple counties were descending on the Galleria At Tyler regarding reports of a possible active shooter incident, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department’s Hazardous Devices Team responded to the Desert Hills Premium Outlets in Cabazon this evening.
The bomb squad was called to the location after a suspicious package was found in the parking structure at the popular outlet mall. Initial responding deputies deemed the package to be suspicious enough to warrant calling out the specialized branch of the sheriff’s department that deals with these types of potential threats.
Both incidents reportedly began right around 6:30 p.m., Sunday evening as stores were packed with holiday shoppers.
The area surrounding the suspicious package was evacuated while the Sheriff’s Hazardous Device Team conducted their investigation.
As of 10:20 p.m., the Sheriff’s Bomb Squad and other law enforcement officers and investigators were still on scene investigating.
According to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, “The Hazardous Device Team provides trained experts in numerous types of explosive devices as well as chemical agents with specialty equipment to handle or disarm hazardous devices throughout the county.”
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