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Falco said court was not in session in the area of the courthouse where the item was found, and there was very little disruption.
Though officials are still investigating, Falco said he believes the item was placed on purpose in front of the courthouse facing the front doors to "cause fear and alarm."
A sheriff's detective and canine partner Kelsey were conducting routine sweeps around the courthouse when they were called over at about 11:18 a.m. to investigate a suspicious item near a stone bench, Falco said.
Other bomb squad personnel had to assist, and one of the investigators wearing a full suit with a handheld X-ray machine investigated the item, Falco said.
The X-ray revealed that the item was not of an explosive nature, Falco said, but was possibly Santeria artifacts. The investigation is continuing, he said.
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