A suspicious box caused a bomb scare at a local bank Wednesday.
An employee at Cherryville Federal Credit Union called 911 around 2:15 p.m. after finding a portable safe beside the east end of the building at 1200 E. Church St. in Cherryville.
The building was evacuated. Police put up crime scene tape, and the Gastonia Police Department bomb squad was called.
The safe turned out only to contain some pictures and financial documents, according to Sgt. Mark Stout.
No one was hurt, but it was necessary to take precautions, Stout said.
“We have to treat everything like it’s actual for our safety and the public’s safety,” he said.
GastonCountypolice assisted in the situation, and Cherryville firefighters kept spectators away while the investigation was underway.
Investigators met with the District Attorney Thursday morning to determine whether or not charges should be filed against the man who left the safe outside of the bank.
Stout chalked the incident up to an accident, saying the man forgot he had left the portable safe there. But Stout said it was better to be cautious in such a situation.
You can reach Diane Turbyfill at 704-869-1817 and twitter.com/GazetteDiane.