Murrieta Court Evacuated for 3 Hours for Suspicious Package

The Southwest Justice Center courthouse was evacuated for about three hours today when deputies assigned to the center in Murrieta were notified of a suspicious package at that location.

Normal court operations resumed at 1:30 p.m. after it was determined the package posed no danger.

According to police, the package was received in the Public Defender's office. The employees were concerned about the contents of the package and immediately contacted deputies at the Sheriff’s Court Services-Central office. Officials from the Sheriff’s Department and the Judicial Officer who oversees the court made the decision to evacuate the building for the safety of the public and the employees.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Hazardous Device Team and Cal Fire responded to assess the package and render it safe. After a thorough examination of the package, which contained clothing items, the members of the Hazardous Device Team deemed it safe and determined it did not pose any threat.

There were no injuries or property damage as the result of this incident.