Suspected Pipe Bomb Leads to Evacuation of Southern MN Courthouse

Update: Freeborn County Government Center Given All Clear, Police ID Bomb Scare Suspect

Albert Lea, (KROC-AM News) - An arrest on traffic-related charges led to the evacuation of the Freeborn County Government Center in Albert Lea this afternoon.

Details are scant, but Freeborn County Sheriff Ryan Shea says the evacuation order was issued shortly after 3 PM.

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It all started with the arrest of a man by Albert Lea police. The Sheriff says a gun lockbox was removed from the individual's vehicle and brought to the government center, where it was opened. That's when it was discovered the lockbox contained what appeared to be a pipe bomb.

The St. Paul Bomb Squad was called to Albert Lea to remove the suspected explosive device. At the last report, the bomb squad was expected to arrive at the Freeborn County Government Center this evening.

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