Thursday, April 26, 2018 at 4:45 a.m., Beaumont Police and Fire Departments and the FBI responded to a suspicious package at the Starbucks located at 3935 Dowlen Road, Beaumont, Texas, Jefferson County.
Responding officers set up a perimeter while members from the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) and FBI Special Agent Bomb Technician Program investigated the package. Other agencies responding included Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF), Port Arthur Fire Department and Texas Department of Emergency Management.
A preliminary investigation revealed the package was located outside of the establishment then moved inside the business by an employee. The employee attempted to open the package and noticed a note. The employee returned the package to the outside of the business and notified law enforcement.
The device, believed to be a legitimate explosive device, was rendered safe by the FBI and ATF Bomb Technicians, while Port Arthur Fire Department EOC K-9 helped render the establishment safe.
The investigation is ongoing and will be led by the FBI’s JTTF.
We ask that you stay vigilant. Pay attention to suspicious activity and report it immediately. Do not open or touch suspicious packages. If you saw the package on the garbage can outside Starbucks or have information that may help with the investigation, please call the FBI Houston Field Office at 713-693-5000.
Check any video or pictures you may have taken in the area as far back as Monday, April 23, 2018.
Remember, “If you see something, say something”.