LPD: ‘Suspicious package’ causes evacuation of downtown Laurens
UPDATE: Arrest made; package marked ‘explosives’
Laurens Police discovered what it termed “a suspicious package” while conducting an investigation at 101 Silver Street off the Historic Square in Laurens just before 5 p.m. Friday.
Khaled Almaleh
Saturday morning, the LPD announced that a man living at the residence on Silver Street – an apartment above Roma Restaurant according to an online real estate listing – on marijuana and steroid distribution charges. During the investigation at the residence regarding those charges, officers discovered a package inside the residence “clearly marked as explosives.”
The box did not contain explosives, but Khaled Khaldoun Almaleh was arrested and charged with intent to distribute marijuana and intent to distribute anabolic steroids.
The Historic Square along West Laurens Street – a hub of social activity on Friday nights – was closed for over three hours as emergency personnel determined whether or not there was a threat.
The area reopened around 8:30 p.m.
“Out of a sheer abundance of caution, the Laurens PD evacuated the immediate area and entire building,” a social media post from the LPD read.
