Press Releases

04/02/2003
Caller Warns of Chemical Weapon in Redondo Beach

An anonymous caller called the F.B.I. office in Los Angeles this morning and warned of a chemical weapon in Redondo Beach.  After a search of the location, no chemical weapon was found.

The caller, called the Los Angeles F.B.I. office this morning at 3:30 A.M. and warned that a chemical weapon was located in an underground parking structure, in an apartment building located in the 100 block of North Helberta Avenue.  The caller did not give their name, and spoke very vaguely of the threat before hanging up.  Due to the possibility of a chemical device, and the fact that the country is on "High Threat Alert" for a terrorist attack, investigators searched the location.

Investigators from the F.B.I. Joint Terrorism Task Force, California Anti-Terrorism Information Center, Redondo Beach Police, L.A.S.D. Bomb and Arson Squad, and the Joint Hazardous Materials Team, which includes the F.B.I., L.A.S.D., and the L.A.P.D., searched the location.  No chemical weapon was located, and an investigation is still ongoing to determine the validity of the caller.

For further information contact Lt. Skipper, Redondo Beach Police Investigations Division, (310) 379-2477 extension 2334.  This press release was prepared by Sgt. Phil Keenan.