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Woman Arrested After Leaving Suspicious Package at Police HQ

Police and emergency responders investigate a suspicious package at the St. Petersburg Police Department.

News Summary

Rebekkah Westermeyer, 26, was arrested for leaving a suspicious suitcase at the St. Petersburg Police Department, prompting a swift response from law enforcement and the Tampa Bomb Squad. The suitcase was found empty, with no threat to the public. Following this incident, Westermeyer was taken into custody after barricading herself in an apartment. She faces multiple charges, including abuse of 911 and possession of a hoax weapon. The police chief commended community vigilance in ensuring safety.

St. Petersburg, FL – A 26-year-old woman named Rebekkah Westermeyer has been arrested after leaving a suspicious package at the St. Petersburg Police Department headquarters this past Friday afternoon. The incident prompted a swift police response, leading to the evacuation of nearby businesses and a thorough investigation by the Tampa Bomb Squad.

The situation began around 2:30 p.m. when a maintenance employee noticed a suspicious vehicle parked at the loading dock of the police headquarters. Concerned about the vehicle, the employee alerted a supervisor who initiated a perimeter check. During this inspection, officers discovered a large suitcase tucked beneath a Forensics Unit van, raising further alarm.

Upon reviewing security camera footage, officers observed Westermeyer driving up to the loading dock, extracting a large brown suitcase from her vehicle, and entering a restricted area. In light of these findings and potential safety risks, the police quickly blockaded the parking garage and evacuated all businesses to the north and east of the building.

As the situation escalated, the authorities called in the Tampa Bomb Squad to examine the suspicious package. Fortunately, after a thorough investigation, it was determined that the suitcase was empty and posed no actual threat.

In a separate but related incident, around 2:50 p.m., police received a 911 call regarding a person shot at an apartment located on 4th Avenue N. Upon arrival, officers found a woman matching Westermeyer’s description who had barricaded herself inside the apartment. SWAT officers were deployed to the scene and successfully took Westermeyer into custody without any further issues.

Westermeyer now faces multiple criminal charges, including abuse of 911 and the manufacture, possession, or threatened use of a hoax weapon of mass destruction. Fortunately, no injuries were reported during either incident involving the suspicious package or the situation at the apartment.

Police Chief Anthony Holloway expressed pride in the actions of the maintenance worker who promptly reported the suspicious vehicle, emphasizing the importance of vigilance in maintaining community safety. The department is currently conducting an ongoing investigation to uncover Westermeyer’s motives for her actions and any potential underlying issues.

This incident highlights the crucial role that alert citizens play in ensuring public safety, as well as the swift response of law enforcement agencies when faced with potential threats. Authorities continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident to prevent similar occurrences in the future.