Updated 4:06 p.m.
A suspicious package addressed to U.S. Senator Kamala Harris arrived at a South Sacramento post office Friday, closing the facility for much of the day.
The senator’s office said it looked similar to other packages containing explosives that have been arriving across the country this week. Federal officials arrested a Florida man who they suspect sent at least 13 bombs to elected officials and public figures, including critics of President Donald Trump.
Also on Friday, California billionaire and Democratic activist Tom Steyer confirmed that a package intercepted at a mail facility in Burlingame was addressed to him.
A postal employee at the Colonial Station Post Office on 44th Street south of Fruitridge Road identified the package addressed to Harris around 7:45 a.m. and reported it to authorities. Some residents had to leave their homes and roads near the post office were closed temporarily.
Sacramento Sheriff’s spokesperson Shaun Hampton said the package resembled the homemade bombs the FBI has been investigating. He wouldn’t specify what was inside, but said specialists were called in to render it safe. No one was injured.
“Our bomb team works collaboratively with all the agencies in the region, they train on a regular basis, on how to use that specialized equipment,” Hampton said.
Officials say there could be more packages on the way, and are encouraging people to report suspicious items by contacting the FBI tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI or tips.fbi.gov.
The Colonial Station Post Office in Sacramento was closed on Friday, Oct. 26, 2018 after authorities intercepted a suspicious package.
Sammy Caiola / Capital Public Radio
Johnny Miranda, who lives near the post office, said he was alarmed he couldn't retrieve his mail.
"When I’ve been watching the news, there’s all kinds of things going on right now," Miranda said. "I’m kind of shocked, this close to home, that this kind of thing happens. I’ve lived in this neighborhood for years, and this is a first."
Mayor Darrell Steinberg told CapRadio this morning that he was "relieved that Sen. Kamala Harris and others targeted in this bomb scare are safe."
Listen to Steinberg talk about the suspicious package here:
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This story is developing and will be updated.
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