Phony Bomb Is Removed From Casino
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SPARKS, Nev. — A phony bomb that shut down one of the Reno area’s largest casinos, an interstate highway and most of downtown Sparks for more than 20 hours was removed without incident Saturday, officials said.
“The device was opened and contained no explosive devices,” FBI Agent Burk Smith said. “It’ll be shipped to the FBI lab (in Quantico, Va.) and gone over with a fine-tooth comb.”
A caller warned the Sparks Nugget’s operations manager Friday that a bomb was in the casino. Authorities found the box behind a temporary wall where the casino is constructing a new escalator.
Police Lt. David Saville would not detail any extortion demands or say if a deadline was given.
The Nugget, nearby Interstate 80 and downtown businesses and casinos were closed until noontime Saturday. Residents evacuated from the area were also allowed back into their homes.
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